FG Unveils Dairy Revolution Plan, Targets $74bn Livestock Economy

…….. As Maiha announces FG’s plans to launch a Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative targeting 37,000 beneficiaries nationwide. 

……. Says “the programme will provide skills training, access to finance, technology transfer and market opportunities, with special emphasis on empowering female dairy farmers and entrepreneurs."

 

 

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious strategy to transform Nigeria's dairy industry, reduce dependence on imported milk and unlock billions of dollars in economic value through increased investments, modern livestock infrastructure and targeted support for women and youth.

The plan was unveiled on Monday at the event held as part of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Milk Day Conference in Abuja, which underscored the Federal Government's determination to leverage the livestock sector as a catalyst for economic diversification, employment generation and inclusive growth.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, in his speech, said “the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is implementing far-reaching reforms aimed at repositioning the livestock sector as a major contributor to economic growth, food security and job creation.”

 

He disclosed that Nigeria currently spends over $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports due to a significant gap between local milk production and national demand. According to him, while the country requires about 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk annually, domestic production remains between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes.

To address the shortfall, the Minister said the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has developed and validated the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, which was formally unveiled at the conference as a blueprint for accelerating growth across the dairy value chain.

He highlighted major milestones achieved since the ministry's establishment in 2024, including the endorsement of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy designed to expand the livestock economy from $32 billion to $74 billion within five years, as well as the development of a 15-year national livestock masterplan.

The Minister, Livestock Development Ministry also announced that Nigeria has secured a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian agribusiness giant JBS S.A., alongside growing investments from leading dairy firms such as Arla Foods, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Nestlé, Danone, Promasidor and Integrated Dairies. 

In another major boost for the sector, Idi Mukhtar Maiha further revealed that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority recently signed a $496 million agreement with a UK-based firm to establish an integrated dairy production and processing enterprise featuring a 10,000-milking-cow operation. The project is expected to generate about 2,500 direct jobs and over 5,000 indirect jobs.

He further listed key interventions undertaken by the ministry, including the construction of seven modern veterinary hospitals, expansion of vaccine production capacity from 12 million to 180 million doses, vaccination of more than 6.2 million livestock against anthrax, establishment of milk collection centres, digital mapping of grazing reserves and deployment of a livestock digital public infrastructure.

Describing dairy production as a powerful driver of rural development, the Honourable Minister noted that every 1,000 litres of milk produced daily has the potential to create between 35 and 75 jobs across farming, processing, transportation and marketing activities.

Maiha also announced plans to launch a Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative targeting 37,000 beneficiaries nationwide. The programme will provide skills training, access to finance, technology transfer and market opportunities, with special emphasis on empowering female dairy farmers and entrepreneurs.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the dairy sector as a critical component of Nigeria's agricultural transformation agenda and a strategic pathway to improved nutrition, higher household incomes and sustainable economic development. 

According to her, “the Ministry remains committed to creating an enabling environment that will attract investment, boost productivity and strengthen partnerships necessary to build a competitive and resilient dairy industry.”

Dr. Akujobi stressed that increased collaboration among government institutions, private investors, development partners and livestock producers would be essential to achieving the country's dairy development objectives and reducing reliance on imported dairy products.

Stakeholders at the conference agreed that sustained investment, innovation and greater inclusion of women and youth would be pivotal to unlocking the vast potential of Nigeria's dairy industry and advancing the nation's food security goals.