World Milk Day: Nigeria Targets Dairy Revolution, Unveils Plans To Cut $1.5bn Import Bill

Idi Mukhtar Maiha 
Minister, Livestock Development Ministry 

...... "Unveils an ambitious roadmap to transform Nigeria's dairy industry, that would reduce its dependence on imported milk, that will in turn, create thousands of jobs through massive investments, infrastructure development and support for women and youth in livestock production."

The Federal Government, as of part of its unwavering commitment to reposition the nation’s Livestock sector, on Monday in Abuja, unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform Nigeria's dairy industry, that would reduce its dependence on imported milk, that will in turn, create thousands of jobs through massive investments, infrastructure development and support for women and youth in livestock production.

 

Making this known at an event commemorating the 2026 World Milk Day Conference in Abuja on Monday, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, revealed that Nigeria was repositioning its dairy sector under President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda to bridge the country's huge milk production deficit and strengthen food security.

Maiha noted that “Nigeria's annual milk demand stands at about 1.7 million metric tonnes, while local production remains between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes, forcing the country to spend over $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports.”

 

“The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, established in 2024, has initiated sweeping reforms across the livestock value chain, including the validation of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, which was officially unveiled at the conference.” Maiha stated.

The minister highlighted major achievements recorded within the ministry's first year, including securing a $2.5 billion investment commitment from Brazilian agribusiness giant JBS S.A., endorsement of the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy aimed at expanding the livestock economy from $32 billion to $74 billion within five years, and the development of a 15-year national livestock masterplan.

Other milestones include the construction of seven modern veterinary hospitals, expansion of vaccine production capacity from 12 million to 180 million doses, vaccination of over 6.2 million livestock against anthrax, establishment of milk collection centres nationwide, digital mapping of grazing reserves, creation of a livestock digital public infrastructure, and collaboration with states on ranching and livestock development projects.

Maiha also disclosed that international and local investors are increasingly showing confidence in Nigeria's dairy sector. He cited investments by Arla Foods, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Nestlé, Danone, Promasidor and Integrated Dairies, alongside a proposed 5,000-cow dairy project by Pure Dairy Herds in Ogun State.

He further revealed that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority recently signed a $496 million agreement with UK-based Asset Green Limited to establish an integrated dairy production and processing enterprise featuring a 10,000-milking-cow operation. The project is expected to create about 2,500 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs.

With this year's World Milk Day themed around celebrating women dairy farmers, the minister announced plans for a Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative targeting 37,000 beneficiaries across livestock value chains. The programme will focus on skills development, enterprise support, access to finance, technology transfer and market integration.

According to him, the ministry is also exploring women-led milk aggregation and processing cooperatives and expanding access to labour-saving technologies, veterinary services and improved storage systems to boost productivity among female dairy producers.

Maiha described dairy production as one of the country's most effective job-creation sectors, noting that producing 1,000 litres of milk daily can generate between 35 and 75 jobs across farming, veterinary services, milk collection, processing and marketing.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, described the dairy sector as a strategic economic opportunity capable of improving nutrition, boosting household incomes and strengthening national food security.

 

She reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to policies and partnerships that will attract investment, enhance productivity and build a competitive dairy industry capable of contributing significantly to Nigeria's economic growth.

  

Stakeholders at the conference agreed that increased investment, stronger public-private partnerships and greater inclusion of women and youth will be critical to achieving the country's dairy transformation agenda and reducing dependence on imported dairy products.