World Milk Day 2026: FG to Strengthen Dairy Sector through Gender-responsive Policies .... As FG, Peak & Dano push milk for child growth, adult health as Renewed Hope drives local dairy

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing gender-responsive dairy policies and interventions aimed at expanding opportunities for women and youth while accelerating the transformation of Nigeria’s dairy industry.

The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, stated this at the 2026 World Milk Day Press Briefing following a road walk held in Abuja on Saturday, May 30, 2026.

Represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Professor Eustace Iyayi, the Minister said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Agenda has provided the foundation for one of the most coordinated livestock and dairy transformation efforts in Nigeria’s recent history.

Speaking at the 2026 World Milk Day Press Briefing in Abuja on Saturday, May 30, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has created the platform for Nigeria’s most coordinated livestock and dairy transformation yet.

Represented by Senior Special Assistant Professor Eustace Iyayi, the Minister disclosed that the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, validated after nationwide stakeholder engagements in November 2025, will be officially unveiled on June 1, 2026. The Framework maps out how Nigeria will turn dairy policy goals into measurable gains in production, processing and incomes.

Under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, NL-GAS, Maiha said the Ministry is scaling investments in feed and fodder development, animal health, genetic improvement, dairy hubs, milk aggregation centres, cold chain infrastructure, and climate-smart livestock systems. The goal: cut import dependence, raise local milk output, and industrialise the dairy value chain.

Henrietta Okokon 
Deputy Director Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Ministry 

37,000 women and youth targeted: 

The headline announcement was the proposed Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative. Maiha said the programme, currently in final stakeholder consultations, will create economic opportunities for 37,000 women and young people across dairy production, processing, marketing and agribusiness.

“As we celebrate women dairy farmers this year, we recognise their critical role in strengthening household nutrition, supporting rural livelihoods, and driving agricultural growth,” the Minister stated. “Our goal is to build an inclusive dairy industry that empowers women and youth while contributing to national food security and economic development.”

Beneficiaries will receive skills development, enterprise support, access to finance, technology transfer, cooperative strengthening, and market integration.

The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, represented by Director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development Mr. Victor Egbon, said the World Milk Day road walk showed stakeholders’ collective commitment to nutrition, healthier lifestyles, and sustainable livestock development. She described this year’s theme, “Celebrating Women Farmers,” as fitting recognition of women’s contributions to dairy production, food security and rural economic transformation.

Goodwill messages came from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Danish Embassy, and the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria, CODRAN, all pledging support for partnerships and investment in the sector.

The event drew development partners, researchers, policymakers, industry operators and private investors committed to advancing Nigeria’s dairy development.

With the Framework launching June 1 and NL-GAS projects expanding, government and industry say the push is now on to move milk “from pasture to plate” — and put more Nigerian women and youth in charge of the business.

This was contained in a statement issued and signed by Henrietta Okokon,  Deputy Director, Information & Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, Abuja. 

Pictures at the event: