Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima has reiterated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s dairy subsector, with an eye on beginning milk exportation within Africa under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
The announcement was made during the unveiling of the National Dairy Policy Document, part of the activities marking this year’s World Milk Day.
Represented by Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Shettima highlighted Nigeria’s substantial dairy import expenditure, which stands at $1.5 billion annually, driven by a production deficit.
He stated that despite consuming an average of 1.6 billion litres of milk and its products annually, domestic production remains insufficient to meet this demand.
According to him, the newly introduced National Dairy Policy is intended to serve as a comprehensive roadmap for revitalizing Nigeria’s dairy industry.
The Vice President referred to the substantial investments from companies like Friesland WAMCO and Danone’s Fan Milk, which have embarked on extensive backward integration projects.
”These initiatives aim to boost local milk production, reduce imports, and enhance food and nutritional security.
“These projects involve setting up state-of-the-art dairy farms and processing facilities, creating thousands of jobs, and promoting local economic development,” Shettima stated.
He emphasized the necessity of comprehensive development strategies to overcome challenges in the dairy industry.
”The government plans to support such efforts by maintaining an enabling environment for capital inflow and technology transfer.
”However, greater investment and better regulatory frameworks are essential for sector growth and impactful scaling,” he noted.
He said the policy stresses the importance of investments in technology and innovation to streamline operations and enhance productivity.
”Public-private partnerships are also crucial for providing access to finance and resources, mitigating long-term risks, and unlocking the full potential of the dairy value chain.
”By focusing on these strategic investments, stakeholders can create a robust and sustainable dairy industry that not only meets domestic demand but also positions Nigeria as a leading dairy producer in Africa,” Shettima said.
He called for concerted efforts from the government, private sector, and all stakeholders to harness the opportunities within the dairy value chain.
Shettima reiterated that by working together, ”Nigeria can ensure the dairy industry thrives, providing quality nutrition, creating jobs, achieving food security, and driving economic growth.”
Senator Abdullahi Sabi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, presented the policy highlights, which include facilitating supportive conditions for the dairy industry, setting targets for milk production establishing milk collection centres and promoting cooperative models for business operations.
Others are encouraging significant investments to reduce import reliance., enhancing nutritional outcomes through better dairy production and providing resources and training for livestock farmers.
