In a significant contribution to veterinary education, youth empowerment, and sustainable livestock development in Nigeria, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, Group Managing Director of Amo Group, a leading agribusiness and integrated animal protein group of companies, has donated a 2,000-capacity Model Broiler Poultry Pen Complex to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The donation was officially unveiled and commissioned as part of the Faculty’s Veterinary Oath Taking and Induction Ceremony.
Dr. Oduntan, an alumnus of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ahmadu Bello University, Class of 1990, described the donation as a personal commitment to give back to the institution that played a defining role in his professional journey. Speaking during the commissioning, he noted that returning to contribute meaningfully to the university had always been a personal goal since graduation, adding that the institution and faculty laid the foundation for the values, discipline, and vision that shaped his career.
The newly commissioned facility, designed and constructed by Diversay Solutions Ltd., a subsidiary of the Amo Group, is a fully integrated and functional commercial poultry operation. In addition to the 2,000 capacity model broiler poultry pen, the complex includes an administrative office for poultry management staff, a borehole to ensure a steady supply of potable water, and an initial stock of 2,000 broiler chicks with feed supplied up to market weight. An offtake arrangement has also been incorporated to guarantee the purchase of birds at maturity, enabling the facility to operate sustainably as a business enterprise.
According to Dr. Oduntan, the initiative is designed to groom veterinary students into entrepreneurs by exposing them to real-world poultry production, business management, and value chain operations while still in school. “This facility is designed to function as a real commercial operation. Students will not only learn animal health and production, but will also gain a practical understanding of management, accountability, and value creation. My vision is simple. No veterinary graduate of this institution should leave without the capacity to create income, provide solutions, and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he said.
Representing the Vice Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Professor Raymond Bako, commended Dr. Oduntan for his foresight and sustained commitment to the institution. He described the donation as timely and impactful, noting that the facility would strengthen practical training, research, and entrepreneurship within the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, and urged more alumni to support the university’s growth.
Dr. Oduntan also delivered the keynote address at the ceremony on the theme, “The Ingredients of Successful Poultry Startups: The History and Progress of the Noiler Chicken in Nigeria.” In his address, he highlighted the transformative impact of the Noiler chicken, a dual-purpose breed developed by Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd., a subsidiary of the Amo Group. He spoke on the role of the Noiler in advancing food and protein security, improving nutrition in rural communities, and providing a sustainable source of income for smallholder farmers, particularly women and children, across Nigeria and the African continent.
In recognition of his contributions to veterinary education, agribusiness development, and national food security, Dr. Oduntan was presented with an Award of Excellence by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
The commissioning ceremony was organised by the Alumni Committee of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and was attended by university management, faculty members, students, alumni, and members of the public, marking a milestone in the Faculty’s commitment to practical, production-oriented veterinary education.
