Women dairy farmers receive renewed support as the Federal Government unveils plans to boost dairy production and reduce imports

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in Nigeria’s dairy sector, describing them as key contributors to food security, household nutrition, rural livelihoods and the growth of the nation’s dairy economy.

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The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, made the pledge on Saturday during a press briefing in Abuja to mark the commencement of activities for the 2026 World Milk Day celebration.

Maiha said Women Dairy Farmers play a vital role across the dairy value chain, including milk production, preservation, storage, processing and marketing.

He noted that the ministry had earlier organised a symbolic road walk in Abuja to raise awareness about the nutritional value of milk, opportunities within the dairy industry and the contributions of women to the sector.

“This year’s World Milk Day celebration is particularly significant as it highlights the theme of celebrating women dairy farmers and their invaluable contributions to food security, household nutrition, rural livelihoods, and the growth of the dairy economy,” the minister said.

According to him, meaningful transformation of Nigeria’s dairy sector cannot be achieved without the active inclusion and empowerment of women.

Maiha said the ministry is implementing gender-responsive policies through support for dairy cooperatives, skills development programmes, milk aggregation systems, value addition initiatives and enterprise development schemes.

He disclosed that Nigeria’s annual milk demand is estimated at 1.7 million metric tonnes, while local production currently ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes.

The gap, he said, has contributed to heavy reliance on dairy imports and foreign exchange expenditure exceeding $1.5 billion annually.

The minister, however, expressed optimism that reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development are beginning to reshape the industry.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and through the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in July 2024, Nigeria has begun implementing one of the most coordinated livestock and dairy transformation efforts in recent history,” he said.

Maiha announced that the ministry would officially unveil the validated Implementation Framework of the National Dairy Policy during the World Milk Day Conference scheduled for June 1, 2026.

He explained that the framework emerged from stakeholder consultations held in Abuja in November 2025 and focuses on increasing local milk production, strengthening dairy processing, improving cold-chain systems and encouraging private sector participation.

The minister also highlighted growing investor confidence in the sector, citing commitments from major dairy companies and new projects expected to expand domestic production capacity.

Among the planned investments is a 5,000-cow dairy farm in Ogun State by Pure Dairy Herds, alongside training centres in Ogun and Taraba states and a 5,000 smallholder out-grower programme.

Maiha further revealed that the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority recently signed a $496 million Memorandum of Understanding with Asset Green Limited for an integrated dairy production and processing project.

The initiative is expected to include a 10,000-milking cow operation, fodder production facilities and a modern dairy processing plant capable of producing fresh milk, butter, cream, milk powder and infant formula.

According to the minister, the project is projected to create about 2,500 direct jobs and more than 5,000 indirect jobs across the dairy value chain.

He also announced plans for a proposed Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative aimed at expanding economic opportunities for 37,000 women and young people nationwide.

The programme is currently undergoing stakeholder consultations and is expected to be launched in the next phase of the ministry’s livestock transformation agenda.

Earlier, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Chinyere Akujobi, described the World Milk Day road walk as a demonstration of stakeholders’ commitment to improved nutrition, healthier lifestyles and sustainable livestock development.

Akujobi said the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy places strong emphasis on women and youth empowerment, identifying it as one of the programme’s core pillars.

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She urged stakeholders to continue supporting initiatives aimed at growing Nigeria’s dairy industry and increasing public awareness of the nutritional and economic benefits of milk and dairy products.