Nigeria is importing dairy cattle from Denmark as it aims to double its milk output within five years, part of a plan to cut dairy imports that cost the country $1.5 billion a year, Livestock Minister Idi Maiha said on Monday. Despite boasting one of Africa’s largest cattle populations, Nigeria’s milk output of 700,000 tonnes a year lags its annual consumption of 1.6 million tonnes. This shortfall means the country imports around 60% of its milk. “Our goal is ambitious but achievable; to double Nigeria’s milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years,” he said. Maiha said Nigeria’s cattle population, exceeding 20 million, consists largely of low-yield pastoralist breeds. A Nigerian farm has already imported over 200 heifers from Denmark, building its herd through intensive breeding, Maiha said. So far, eight new pasture species have been registered, the first in 48 years, and a national strategy for animal genetic resources with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization has been launched, he said. “With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength,” Maiha said.
Meanwhile as Nigeria commemorates 2025 World Milk Day, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said that Nigeria imports over $1.5 billion worth of dairy products annually. In his address delivered at the World Milk Day Conference held in Abuja, Maiha said the country only produces 700,000 metric tonnes of milk, which measures are put in place to upscale it. According to him, Nigeria’s annual milk consumption stands at 1.6 million metric tonnes. He also added that the World Health Organization recommends 210 litres per person per year, a Nigerian consumes an average of just 8.7 litres of milk, which is barely enough for tea throughout the rainy season, therefore he acknowledged that “we have a milk supply gap.” He further stated that the Ministry has keyed into the “milk opportunity”, as bold steps are made to address the core challenges facing the livestock industry. He also made it known that the Ministry is liaising with multinationals and foreign governments for the rapid expansion of the nation’s beef and dairy industries, and that feedlots and dairy farms will be established by stakeholders, thus providing additional animal products and employment for the teeming Nigerian youths.
The conference had in attendance various investors and stakeholders including the European Union, EU, and other members of the diplomatic community. He said “Nigeria consumes about 1.6 million metric tonnes of milk every year, but we only produce around 700,000 metric tonnes locally. The remaining 60 percent is imported at a cost of over $1.5 billion annually. Now that is a serious drain on our economy. But even with all that importation, our national milk consumption still lags significantly behind global and continental averages. The World Health Organization recommends 210 litres per person per year. Here in Nigeria, we average just 8.7 litres per person, that’s barely enough for tea throughout the rainy season!So yes, we have a milk supply gap. But more importantly, we have a milk opportunity. Since the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, we have made bold moves to address the core challenges facing the livestock industry.
“We have developed the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) after reviewing reports of committees and holding consultative sessions, the National Livestock Master plan is being reviewed, and the Implementation Framework for the National Dairy Policy is being finalised. The National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy which was recently approved by National Economic Council is focusing on ten pillars, among which are livestock value chain development, feed and fodder development, animal health and zoonoses control, livestock extension, youth & women empowerment and access to finance & insurance as well as water resources management, all of which are critical to milk production. Let me be clear, this is not just about cows. It is about people. It is about jobs, businesses, and economic dignity. It is about a child who needs calcium for stronger bones. It is about a young entrepreneur trying to start a yoghurt brand. It is about the Trader, the Vet., the Nutritionist, our foreign reserves, and most importantly, it is about nation-building.”
He also disclosed that the Ministry is developing a Livestock Master Plan, LMP, and that “It will be for a 15-year period, with a five-year investment plan; the LMP will align with our NL-GAS, identify resource gaps and proffer investment options. After the validation of the implementation framework of National Dairy Policy, we shall collaborate with other MDAs and organisations to set up the structures and mechanisms necessary for implementation of our dairy initiatives.” The Head, European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Amb Gautier Mignot, in a keynote address titled ‘Dairy Development: A Pathway to Economic Growth and Sustainable Development’, delivered at the Conference, assured of supporting the Nigerian dairy sector to attain its full potential.
Amb Mignot also assured that European dairy companies would continue to invest in various segments of the livestock sector in Nigeria, therefore, the EU will give all it takes to galvanize the potential of the livestock sector. He said, “These partnerships aim to unlock value across the entire dairy ecosystem, from pasture to processors, and attract private investment that benefits both farmers and consumers. In doing so, we aim to create decent jobs across the dairy value chain, with a strong emphasis on the inclusion of youth and women, while building a dairy industry that is both commercially viable and environmentally sustainable. The EU supports these efforts by facilitating knowledge exchange and end-to-end policy dialogue and aligning development cooperation with Nigeria’s National Livestock Transformation Plan. Engagement extends to cooperation with Nigerian ministries, state governments, farmer cooperatives and research institutions to ensure that dairy development is locally owned, culturally appropriate and economically viable. So which are the solutions identified to develop the Nigerian dairy sector? The results of these consultations amongst stakeholders show that to unlock the full potential of dairy in Nigeria, we must address systemic constraints across the entire value chain.
“Enhancing productivity by investing in the specific building blocks identified for the dairy environment in Nigeria, such as fees, skills, farm management, market access. Strengthening infrastructure, particularly coal chains and processing facilities. Empowering women and youth, who are often the silent backbone of rural dairy production. Promoting environmental sustainability through climate-smart and regenerative practices. Invest in foundational elements, such as feed production, veterinary services and genetics. Modernize infrastructure, including milk collection centres, coal chains and processing units. Expand access to finance and training, especially for women and young entrepreneurs.”
