calls on Gov. Abiodun to champion the policy across Southwest

As the world celebrates World Egg Day, the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), Ogun State Chapter, yesterday called on the Federal Government to incorporate into its National School Feeding Programme an Egg-a-Day Policy to boost the brains and aid the academic performance of children in public schools across the country.

The association also called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to champion the Egg-a-Day Policy in the school feeding programme across the Southwest.

The Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun (PANOG), Alhaji Yinka Lawal, disclosed this at the 2025 World Egg Day Celebration, with the theme: “The Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition.”

Lawal said that entrenching the Egg-a-Day Policy in the school feeding programme would not only bring about nutritional and academic boosts for a child but would also stimulate local egg production, create employment for thousands, as well as stabilise demand for farmers’ output.

He urged the President Tinubu-led administration to urgently expedite action on the school feeding programme for the children to have access to an Egg-a-Day in their meals in order to strengthen their immune systems against infections and diseases.

The PANOG Chairman divulged that including an Egg-a-Day in the school feeding programme for the children would make them healthy with high-quality protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, noting that the daily intake of eggs is a powerhouse of nutrition that supports human growth and health from infancy to old age.

He also explained that the nutritional value of eggs in children builds their brains and strengthens their bodies, fuelling growth and energy in youth, while it maintains vitality and productivity in adults and supports the aged in developing strong bones, healthy muscles, living, and longevity.

He tasked governments at all levels to support poultry farmers in egg production and supply with access to affordable financing, input subsidies, and infrastructure, especially in the areas of feed production, biosecurity, and power supply.

Lawal, however, appealed to hatchery operators across the federation to exercise caution on the skyrocketing cost of day-old chicks, which he said had become a burden on farmers and threatened the survival of small and medium-scale entrepreneurs in the poultry business.

He said, “We therefore call on the government to expedite action on the National School Feeding Programme and to entrench an ‘Egg-a-Day Policy’ within it. Imagine the impact if every child in our public schools across Nigeria received one egg daily.
“The nutritional improvement, the academic boost, and the joy it would bring. Beyond the health benefits, such a policy will stimulate local egg production, create employment for thousands, and stabilise demand for farmers’ output.

“Indeed, an egg a day can make a remarkable difference in the well-being of our children, youth, adults, and the elderly alike. This year, our celebration has been uniquely structured to reach every corner of our dear state. Across the six zones — Egba, Ijebu, Remo, Yewa, Ota, and Mowe — the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, has organised impactful activities: school sensitisation programmes, egg donation drives, community health talks, and public enlightenment campaigns on the nutritional value of eggs.

“The 2025 World Egg Day Celebration, here in the Gateway State, Ogun State, the industrial and agricultural pride of Nigeria. The World Egg Day is a global event that reminds us of the incredible value of one of nature’s simplest yet most complete foods — the mighty egg. This year’s theme, ‘The Mighty Egg: Packed with Natural Nutrition,’ beautifully captures the essence of what we celebrate today. The egg is a symbol of life, nourishment, and vitality. It is rich in high-quality protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals — a powerhouse of nutrition that supports human growth and health from infancy to old age.

“We appeal to the Ogun State Government, under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, to lead this initiative in the Southwest by championing an Egg-for-School Programme within the state’s feeding scheme. This single action will be a game-changer for both our children and our farmers.

“We also appeal to governments at all levels to support poultry farmers with access to affordable financing, input subsidies, and infrastructure, particularly in the areas of feed production, biosecurity, and power supply.

“The poultry industry remains one of the most reliable sectors for employment generation, food security, and economic diversification. At this point, I also wish to make a passionate appeal to our partners, the hatchery operators across the state and the nation.

“We acknowledge the challenges you face, but we plead that you exercise consideration in pricing. The cost of day-old chicks has become a major burden for farmers. When the price of chicks rises uncontrollably, it threatens the survival of small and medium-scale poultry farmers who form the backbone of our industry. We appeal for moderation and a pricing structure that allows every farmer, large or small, to thrive.

“A stable and affordable input market is the bedrock of a sustainable poultry industry. As we celebrate World Egg Day 2025, let us all — farmers, consumers, policymakers, and partners — recommit ourselves to promoting the mighty egg as a symbol of good health and economic growth. Together, we can make the egg a daily part of every Nigerian’s meal and strengthen the poultry industry that feeds our nation,” he added.