Nigeria eyes $1.5bn dairy market, pushes for local production drive

The Federal Government has renewed its push to domesticate Nigeria’s $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill, as Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, called on stakeholders to develop innovative, business-driven solutions that will strengthen local milk production and investment in the dairy value chain.

Speaking at the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework Validation Workshop held in Abuja on Tuesday, Mukhtar said the country must transition from being a major importer of dairy products to becoming a competitive producer and exporter.

“The $1.5 billion we spend every year on dairy imports should be viewed not as a sunk cost, but as an opportunity for investment in our future — an investment that can unlock economic growth, create jobs, and drive rural prosperity,” the minister said.

He urged industry players, development partners, and policymakers to collaborate in refining the draft dairy policy implementation framework to address key bottlenecks and promote private-sector-led growth in the sector.

According to him, Nigeria’s dairy market holds vast untapped potential across production, processing, logistics, and retail, but challenges such as low milk yield, poor breed quality, and weak market linkages continue to limit growth.

John Owan Enoh, minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, in his goodwill message, emphasised that with effective collaboration and policy alignment, Nigeria could build a competitive dairy economy capable of attracting local and foreign investment.

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He said unlocking opportunities across the dairy value chain would not only reduce import dependency but also create employment, empower pastoral and rural communities, and enhance food security.

Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, permanent secretary, represented by Victor Egbon, noted that a unified strategy and private sector participation are crucial to transforming challenges in the sector into profitable opportunities.

Industry experts from Sahel Consulting Agriculture and Nutrition, CODARAN, GIZ, and other development partners attended the event, which focused on validating the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework — a document expected to guide sustainable investment, value addition, and innovation across Nigeria’s dairy ecosystem.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.