Pullus Africa, led by Opeoluwa Fayomi, is using technology and finance to support Nigeria’s poultry farmers amid industry-wide challenges.
Nigeria’s poultry sector, a critical pillar of food security and the wider economy, is under mounting strain. In the first half of 2024 alone, industry reports revealed that more than 30 per cent of farms shut down. Rising feed costs, which account for as much as 70 per cent of production expenses, were identified as a primary driver of closures. Added to this were persistent infrastructure challenges, from unreliable electricity to transportation bottlenecks, alongside price controls imposed by processors that further squeezed profit margins.
Amid these difficulties, Opeoluwa Fayomi, co-founder and chief executive of Pullus Africa, set out to create a platform that could support struggling poultry farmers. With more than a decade of experience in agribusiness project management and business development, including work with USAID’s Feed the Future Nigeria Agribusiness Investment Activity, she co-launched Pullus Africa in September 2022. Billed as Nigeria’s first poultry-only supply chain platform, the company was designed to deliver a mix of technology, finance, and market access tailored to the industry’s unique needs.
Tackling systemic barriers
Fayomi has often pointed to recurring hurdles that hold farmers back: poor access to quality inputs, limited advisory services, scarce financing opportunities, and difficulty reaching premium markets. These issues, she argues, not only restrict individual farmers but also threaten the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s poultry industry.
Her experience channelling investment into agricultural projects convinced her of the need for an integrated, data-driven solution. Pullus Africa emerged to fill that gap, offering farmers not just credit and insurance but also training and digital tools for smarter production.
Since launch, the company has expanded into Kaduna, Nasarawa, and the Federal Capital Territory, engaging more than 23,000 farmers.
A flagship initiative is the Pullus Innovative Financing (PIF) scheme, introduced in 2024 under the Poultry Supply Chain De-risking Project (POSDERP) in partnership with Heifer International Nigeria and Leadway Assurance. Through the scheme, roughly ₦76 million (about $49,000) has been disbursed to farmers—mostly for feed purchases. Insurance has also been built in, with ₦4 million (about $2,000) paid in claims in Kaduna State and a 92 per cent claim success rate reported.
Tech for productivity gains
Pullus Africa’s web application allows farmers to monitor feed consumption, feed conversion efficiency, flock mortality, and weight gain. Company data suggests the platform has helped boost average bird weight by 27 per cent, while some farmers have recorded profit increases of 25–30 per cent.
Training and extension services complement the technology, giving farmers greater confidence in planning and operations. Access to premium markets has also allowed some producers to secure higher prices, while farming clusters foster peer learning and collaboration, key factors in building resilience under difficult conditions.
Beyond survival
Pullus Africa has quickly carved out a place in Nigeria’s agritech ecosystem, with its poultry-specific focus setting it apart from more general platforms. For Fayomi, the company’s growth underscores her conviction that blending technology with traditional farming practices can not only stabilise but also revitalise one of Nigeria’s most vital food sectors.
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