Kwara steps up investment drive to bridge Nigeria’s $1.5bn milk import gap

The Kwara State Government has intensified efforts to tap into Nigeria’s massive dairy deficit as the country continues to spend over $1.5 billion annually on milk imports.

Oloruntoyosi Thomas, Commissioner for Livestock Development, revealed this at the 2026 Press Week of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kwara State Council.

Thomas said Nigeria currently consumes about 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk annually but produces only about 600,000 metric tonnes locally, leaving a supply gap of 65 per cent largely met through imports.

She described the situation as a huge economic opportunity for states willing to invest aggressively in dairy production and processing.

Kwara State, she said, is targeting 100,000 metric tonnes of dairy production capable of injecting about $150 million into the state economy.

“This dependence weakens our economy, drains foreign reserves and limits local industry growth,” she said.

The commissioner disclosed that the state government is prioritising the dairy value chain under its livestock transformation agenda through the SAPZ and LPRES projects, adding that the state plans to process milk into butter, cheese, condensed milk, cream, yoghurt, ice cream and powdered milk.

Thomas noted that Nigeria imported butter worth about $310 million in 2023, adding that capturing just 10 per cent of that market could bring about $31 million into Kwara’s economy.

She also pointed to rising demand for yoghurt and dairy desserts, saying Nigeria is among the top five importing countries in the category with annual growth rates exceeding 15% .

The Commissioner noted that global dairy companies including Danone/Fan Milk and FrieslandCampina already maintain milk collection centres across Kwara and are ready to absorb increased local production.

In his address, Biola Azeez, Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, said the Chapel remains one of the most respected professional journalism bodies in Kwara with members spread across national and international media platforms.

He said in the past and new members of the Chapel had work tirelessly to bring issues with facts to the reading and hearing public to ensure sanity in the society.

He, however, called for more support loyalty and love from all members of the Chapel inorder to benefit more of the dividend of democracy.