Nestlé partners Nigerian livestock ministry to boost milk production

Nestlé Nigeria has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to launch a Dairy Technical Skills Development Programme aimed at enhancing milk production quality and volume in Nigeria.

“The LOI reflects a shared commitment to developing mid-level technical and vocational skills essential for strengthening Nigeria’s dairy value chain, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable livelihoods”, Nestle Nigeria said.

Speaking at the agreement signing ceremony in Abuja on Monday, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, said, “We are confident that this will have a positive impact on our communities by creating more jobs, improving livelihoods, and supporting a stronger economy.”

The partnership, according to the MD, focuses on: capacity-building programmes, training for Industry-relevant skills developed with stakeholders and enhancing milk quality across local dairy clusters

Elhusseini stated that “From the launch of its Dairy Development Project (NLDP) in 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has been actively contributing to the enhancement of the dairy sector.

“The NLDP has established 83 dairy cooperatives, benefiting over 3,000 milk producers and has aggregated more than 1 million liters of raw milk. Nestlé has also trained over 2,000 milk producers in best practices, vaccinated over 36,744 cattle, and facilitated water access through the construction of 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs.

“These efforts have led to significant improvements in milk quality, reducing rejection rates from 12% in 2021 to as low as 5% in 2024, while monthly revenue for milk producers has increased from ₦70,000 in 2019 to ₦250,000 in 2024” he said.

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He further noted that the launch of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm would provide a practical model to illustrate how best practices can safely increase milk production of local breeds from an average of one litre per cow per day to over 10 litres

BUSINESSDAY recalls that following the launch, the minister had invited Nestlé Nigeria to convert the farm into a training institute, an opportunity that Nestlé eagerly accepted, leading to the signing of the LOI on Monday.

“By investing in the future of Nigeria’s dairy sector, Nestlé is dedicated to building capacity and capability for a sustainable and prosperous industry that supports the nation’s development.”

Idi Mukhtar Maiha, minister of Livestock Development, said, “Our collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria will lead to the inauguration of a Dairy Training Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, aimed at building mid-level manpower and training farmers to enhance productivity through modern practices.”

This partnership builds on Nestlé’s existing dairy development efforts in Nigeria. Since 2019.

He noted that Nestlé’s Nigeria Livestock Development Project (NLDP) has: Established 83 dairy cooperatives, Benefiting over 3,000 milk producers, Aggregated 1 million litres of raw milk and Trained 2,000 milk producers in best practices, vaccination, and water access

The Minister said, “By investing in Nigeria’s dairy sector, Nestlé aims to create a sustainable and prosperous industry that supports the nation’s development”

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.