Agriculture
Nigeria Moves Toward Dairy Self-Sufficiency with New Policy Implementation Framework
The Federal Government has reiterated its determination to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry through coordinated reforms, strengthened partnerships, and the newly validated National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework.
Speaking at the 2025 FrieslandCampina WAMCO CNDDD Annual Dairy Development Webinar, Professor Attahiru Jega, Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), said the dairy sector has reached “a turning point,” urging swift action to build a productive and sustainable value chain.
Despite this growing demand, he explained, local production remains far below national needs due to challenges such as weak feed and pasture systems, poor breed productivity, farmer–herder conflicts, climate pressures, inadequate financing, and low adoption of modern technologies.
“These challenges are surmountable,” he stated. “With the right policies, investments, and partnerships, Nigeria can overturn decades of underperformance.”
He highlighted two major initiatives by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration: the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to drive comprehensive reforms and the creation of PLRIC to improve coordination among ministries, states, and stakeholders. The recent validation of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, he added, provides a long-term guide for transforming the dairy ecosystem.
Private-sector participation is expanding, with companies such as FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Arla Foods, Danone, L&Z, and Sebore Farms increasing milk collection, enhancing farmer training, and strengthening backward integration. Development partners including DDP, ALDDN, GIZ, and the EU-VACE TARED programme were commended for supporting capacity building, climate-smart research, and value-chain advancements.
Professor Jega emphasized the need for a nationally coordinated approach rather than isolated efforts. He called for modern production clusters, cold-chain expansion, cooperative strengthening, enhanced regulation, and the creation of a Dairy Academy to deepen human capital development. He also outlined four strategic pillars for achieving dairy self-sufficiency: increased productivity through improved pastures, genetics, and veterinary services; sustainability through climate-smart practices and renewable energy; innovation via digital tools for traceability, disease surveillance, and market integration; and stronger partnerships involving government, industry, academia, and development actors.
Professor Kalla added that the National Dairy Policy provides a strong foundation to support public–private investments geared toward milk self-sufficiency, improved productivity, and a globally competitive dairy sector. Developed through broad stakeholder consultations with FMAFS, FMITI, and industry players, the policy offers a roadmap for transitioning from low-productivity operations to modern, technology-driven and commercially viable enterprises. With the implementation framework now validated, government efforts will focus on creating an enabling environment that encourages innovation-led value chains while empowering smallholder farmers and private investors.
The policy highlights major opportunities such as expanding domestic milk production, strengthening cold-chain and logistics networks, promoting technology use, advancing backward integration, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing import dependence. It also addresses longstanding challenges including poor husbandry practices, low-quality feed, high disease prevalence, weak animal health systems, climate change impacts, insufficient grazing and water resources, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance and coordinated value-chain support.
“Our vision is to build a dairy industry that delivers affordable nutrition, elevates smallholders into successful producers, and ensures that no child suffers stunting because milk is too expensive or unavailable,” Professor Jega said. “With our population size, market potential, natural resources, and expertise, Nigeria can emerge as a leading dairy producer in Africa and a driver of national development and economic transformation.”
