The announcement, reported by This Day, came from Ekiti state governor, Segun Oni.

The project was originally initiated by the impeached former governor of the state, Ayodele Fayose.

Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Public Communications, Moses Jolayemi, said Governor Oni made the announcement on 10 August while fielding questions from members of the public during the monthly radio and television programme, 'Gomina Nsalaye'.

The governor said that as soon as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) gives the go-ahead to the government to take over the project, it will either be sold or leased out to investors who have already shown interest in the project.

The failure of the controversial poultry project costing more than one billion naira (NGN) led to the impeachment and subsequent arraignment of Mr Fayose in court. Each of the 16 local councils in the state were made to contribute NGN25 million to the project.