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.
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.
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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.
