Bridging Nutrient Deficiency Gaps Through Valorisation of Chicken Necks, Shanks, and their Bone Components: The Nigerian Experience
Keywords:
Protein deficiency, Chicken neck suya, Peppered chicken shanks, Pepper soup
Abstract
Nigeria, one of the most populous countries in the world, and the African country with the largest population, which continues to grow rapidly. Faces a unique combination of challenges alongside its rapidly burgeoning population, which include protein deficiency, that is in turn worsened by high level of poverty (with more than 50% of the population living in extreme poverty). Protein deficiency has many possible untoward consequences, such as weakened immunity and stunted physical and mental development (in children). To mitigate protein deficiency and its consequences, Nigerians have perennially consumed parts of livestock, such as chicken necks, shanks, and their bone components, that are less valued in more affluent countries. Several local delicacies unique to Nigeria, like chicken neck suya, peppered chicken shank, and chicken neck peppersoup have been improvised from these less valued chicken parts. This article reviews some of the local dishes that have been improvised from chicken necks, shanks and bones in Nigeria to mitigate protein deficiency. In order to codify them in a scholarly manner for a wider audience, and also serve as a testament to the gustatory inventiveness of humanity.
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References
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Akinyetun, T. S., Alausa, J. A., Odeyemi, D. D., and Ahoton, A. S. (2021). Assessment of the prevalence of multidimensional poverty in nigeria: evidence from Oto/Ijanikin, Lagos State. Journal of Social Change, 13(2):17-23. https://doi.org/10.5590/JOSC.2021.3.2.03
Anonymous (2022). Is it true how people say that Nigerians eat chicken, including the bone? Retrieved November 22, 2024, from Quora. https://www.quora.com/Is-it-true-how-people-say-that-Nigerians-eat-chicken-including-the-bone
Arowolo, O. V., Oladejo, J. A., Oguntoye, T. O., Kabir, G. B., and Salako, B. A. (2021). Analysis of meat consumption pattern in Ogbomoso North Local Government Area, Oyo State, Nigeria. Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, 25(4):555–559. https://doi.org/10.4314/jasem.v25i4.10
Chibuzor, O. (2023). FIPAN: One Million Metric Tons of Smuggled Chicken Enter Nigeria Annually – THISDAYLIVE. Retrieved November 21, 2024, from https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2024/09/26/fipan-one-million-metric-tons-of-smuggled-chicken-enter-nigeria-annually/
Chigbu, G. U., Aboh, S. C., and Ganaah, J. (2024). Religious othering in Nigeria’s electoral discourse: Towards a critical religious tolerance. Discourse & Society, 9(5):78-84. https://doi.org/10.1177/09579265241257628
Ciosek, Ż., Kot, K., Kosik-Bogacka, D., Łanocha-Arendarczyk, N., and Rotter, I. (2021). The Effects of calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, fluoride, and lead on bone tissue. Biomolecules, 11(4), Article 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11040506
Ederer, P., and Leroy, F. (2023). The societal role of meat—What the science says. Animal Frontiers, 13(2):3–8. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfac098
Elmadfa, I., and Meyer, A. L. (2017). Animal proteins as important contributors to a healthy human diet. Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, 5(1), 111–131. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-animal-022516-022943
Evaris, E. F. (2021). Meat and bone quality of slow-growing male chickens raised with outdoor access in tropical climate—ScienceDirect. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889157521000028
FAOSTAT. (2024). FAOSTAT. Crops and Livestock Products. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL
Foodlocker. (2024). Chicken neck | FoodLocker—Your Online Food Store. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.foodlocker.com.ng/chicken-neck/
Gaga, O. (2024). Peppered chicken feet (Chicken claws)—The Pretend Chef. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.thepretendchef.com/peppered-chicken-feet/
Galapagos Species Database. (2024). Galapagos Species Database. Gallus Gallus Domesticus Linnaeus, 1758. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://datazone.darwinfoundation.org/en/checklist/?species=5091
Godfrey, E. (2023). How to Cook Delicious Nigerian Chicken Pepper Soup—Delishably. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://delishably.com/world-cuisine/How-To-Cook-Delicious-Chicken-Peppersoup
Gu, D., Andreev, K., E. and Dupre, M., (2021). Major Trends in Population Growth Around the World. China CDC Weekly, 3(28):604–613. https://doi.org/10.46234/ccdcw2021.160
Hayse, P. L., and Marion, W. W. (1973). Eviscerated Yield, Component Parts, and Meat, Skin and Bone Ratios in the Chicken Broiler—ScienceDirect. Retrieved November 26, 2024, from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0032579119472982
Hudson, J. (2021). What are Broiler Chickens? Chicken Scratch The Foundry. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://cs-tf.com/broiler-chicken/
Imma, A. (2024). African Chicken Pepper Soup—Immaculate Bites. Retrieved November 27, 2024, from https://www.africanbites.com/african-pepper-soupchicken/
India, C. (2020). Health Benefits of Chicken Bones. Chicken India. Retrieved November 25, 2024, from https://www.chickenindia.org/health-benefits-of-chicken-bones/
Ipinnaiye, O., and Olaniyan, F. (2023). An exploratory study of local social innovation initiatives for sustainable poverty reduction in Nigeria. Sustainable Development, 31(4), 2222-2239.
Irobi, A. (2024). Chicken Feet—African Food Network. Retrieved November 19, 2024, from https://afrifoodnetwork.com/recipes/chicken-beef-recipes/chicken-feet/
Jegede, O. B., Ogunwole, O. A., and Omojola, A. B. (2018). Quality attributes and safety of processed meat products in Ibadan, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Animal Production, 45(4):210–221. https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.v45i4.549
Justrite Superstore. (2024). Homepage—Justrite Superstore. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://justriteonline.com/
Leroy, F., Smith, N. W., Adesogan, A. T., Beal, T., Iannotti, L., Moughan, P. J., and Mann, N. (2023). The role of meat in the human diet: Evolutionary aspects and nutritional value. Animal Frontiers, 13(2):11–18. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfac093
LiveGAPS. (2024). Poultry production in Nigeria. LiveGAPS. Retrieved November 24, 2024, from https://research.csiro.au/livegaps/findings/livestock-production/poultry-production-in-nigeria/
Macrotrends. (2024). Nigeria Population 1950-2025 | MacroTrends. Retrieved November 23, 2024, from https://www.macrotrends.net/global-metrics/countries/nga/nigeria/population
Okoruwa, A., and Onuigbo-Chatta, N. (2021). Review of Food Safety Policy in Nigeria. Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization, 57:110-114.
Okwunodulu, I. N., Daniel, M. C., Ndife, J., and Okwunodulu, F. U. (2022). Calcium and phosphorus insight of local chicken, broiler and old layer bones and their ratios for optimal bone health and development. Food Chemistry Advances, 1:100122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.focha.2022.100122
Olajide, E., and Akpan, S. (2020, October 7). Livestock Production in Nigeria—A thriving Industry. One Health and Development Initiative (OHDI). Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://onehealthdev.org/livestock-production-in-nigeria-a-thriving-industry/
Oppong, G. M., Adediran, O. A., Awodoyin, O. R., and Omojola, A. B. (2021). Utilisation of chicken intestines as extender in frankfurter sausage. Nigeria Agricultural Journal, 52(3):202–208.
Our World in Data. (2024). Chicken meat production, 1961 to 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2024, from https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/chicken-meat-production?tab=chart&country=NGA
Practical Cooks. (2023). Can You Eat Chicken Bones? (Are There Benefits?) - Practical Cooks. Retrieved November 22, 2024, from https://practicalcooks.com/can-you-eat-chicken-bones-are-there-benefits/
Tafida, S. Y., Kabir, J., Kwaga, J. K. P., Bello, M., Umoh, V. J., Yakubu, S. E., Nok, A. J., and
Hendriksen, R. (2013). Occurrence of Salmonella in retail beef and related meat products in Zaria, Nigeria. Food Control, 32(1):119–124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.11.005
United Nations (2024). THE 17 GOALS | Sustainable Development. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://sdgs.un.org/goals
World Bank (2024). Population estimates and projections | DataBank. World Bank Group:Data Bank Population Estimates and Projections. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://databank.worldbank.org/Nigerian-population/id/ad9a3ed7
World Health Organisation (2024). Nigeria Population. World Health Organization Data. Retrieved November 17, 2024, from https://data.who.int/countries/566
Published
2025-07-18
How to Cite
Adediran, O. A., Adediran, O. A., & Adediran, O. H. (2025). Bridging Nutrient Deficiency Gaps Through Valorisation of Chicken Necks, Shanks, and their Bone Components: The Nigerian Experience. Nigerian Journal of Animal Science and Technology (NJAST), 8(1), 59 - 68. Retrieved from http://njast.com.ng/index.php/home/article/view/407
Section
Articles
