The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s dairy sector through coordinated reforms, strategic partnerships, and the recently validated National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework.
Speaking at the 2025 FrieslandCampina WAMCO CNDDD Annual Dairy Development Webinar, Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), described the sector as being at “a turning point,” calling for decisive action to build a productive and sustainable dairy value chain.
Represented by Professor Demo Kalla, Professor Jega who is also the keynote speaker, highlighted that demand for dairy and other animal-sourced foods is projected to surge as Nigeria’s population grows, citing FAO data that dairy consumption in West Africa could rise by more than 500% by 2050. Despite the rising demand, domestic production remains insufficient due to challenges including weak feed and pasture systems, low breed productivity, farmer–herder conflicts, climate pressures, inadequate financing, and limited adoption of modern technologies.
“These are not insurmountable challenges,” he said. “With the right policies, investments, and partnerships, Nigeria can reverse decades of underperformance.”
He pointed to two landmark initiatives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration: the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to drive systemic reforms, and the creation of PLRIC to ensure strategic coordination across ministries, states, and stakeholders. The recent validation of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework was hailed as a major step forward, providing a long-term roadmap for transforming the dairy ecosystem.
Private-sector investment is already growing, with companies such as FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Arla Foods, Danone, L&Z, and Sebore Farms expanding milk collection, farmer training, and backward integration. Development partners, including DDP, ALDDN, GIZ, and the EU-VACE TARED programme, were recognized for supporting capacity building, climate-smart research, and value-chain improvements.
Professor Jega stressed the need for coordinated national action over isolated interventions, calling for modern production clusters, cold-chain expansion, cooperative models, stronger regulatory systems, and the proposed Dairy Academy for human capital development. He outlined four strategic pillars for achieving dairy self-sufficiency: productivity through better pastures, genetics, and veterinary services; sustainability via climate-smart practices and renewable energy; innovation through digital tools for traceability, disease surveillance, and market integration; and partnerships to foster collaboration among government, industry, academia, and development partners.
Prof. Kalla added that the National Dairy Policy provides a clear framework to drive public–private investment toward milk self-sufficiency, higher productivity, and a globally competitive Nigerian dairy sector. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement with the FMAFS, FMITI, and industry partners, the policy charts a roadmap to modern, technology-enabled, commercially viable operations. With the implementation framework validated, the government is poised to create an enabling environment that empowers smallholders and private investors.
Key opportunities highlighted by the policy include expanding domestic milk production, strengthening cold-chain and logistics systems, mobilizing technology, driving backward integration, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing imports. It also addresses critical challenges such as poor husbandry, low feed quality, disease burdens, weak animal health systems, climate change pressures, inadequate grazing and water resources, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance.
“Our vision is to build a dairy industry that delivers affordable nutrition, transforms smallholders into prosperous producers, and ensures no child suffers stunting because milk is too costly or unavailable,” Professor Jega concluded. “With our population, market, natural resources, and expertise, Nigeria can become a leading dairy producer in Africa and a pillar of national development and economic transformation.”
Prof. Kalla in his remark said the National Dairy Policy provides a clear framework to drive public–private investment toward milk self-sufficiency, higher productivity, and a globally competitive Nigerian dairy sector. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement with the FMAFS, FMITI, and industry partners, the policy charts a roadmap to transform the sector from low-productivity operations to modern, technology-enabled, commercially viable enterprises. With stakeholder validation of its implementation framework, the government is poised to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation-driven value chains and empowers smallholders and private investors.
Key opportunities include expanding domestic milk production, strengthening cold chain and logistics, mobilizing technology, driving backward integration by processors, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing imports. The policy also addresses major challenges such as poor husbandry, low feed quality, high disease burdens, weak animal health systems, climate change pressures, inadequate grazing and water resources, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance with weak value-chain coordination.
Prof. Kalla sin his remark said the National Dairy Policy provides a clear framework to drive public–private investment toward milk self-sufficiency, higher productivity, and a globally competitive Nigerian dairy sector. Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement with the FMAFS, FMITI, and industry partners, the policy charts a roadmap to transform the sector from low-productivity operations to modern, technology-enabled, commercially viable enterprises. With stakeholder validation of its implementation framework, the government is poised to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation-driven value chains and empowers smallholders and private investors.
Key opportunities include expanding domestic milk production, strengthening cold chain and logistics, mobilizing technology, driving backward integration by processors, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing imports. The policy also addresses major challenges such as poor husbandry, low feed quality, high disease burdens, weak animal health systems, climate change pressures, inadequate grazing and water resources, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance with weak value-chain coordination.