Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to revitalising the nation’s livestock sector through renewed investments in dairy production, farmer empowerment, and innovation for sustainable growth.
Speaking at the 2025 Arla-Dano Open Day held in Kaduna, President Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development reflects a deliberate effort to give focused attention to the livestock industry, particularly the dairy sub-sector, where Nigeria spends significant amounts on imports.
The President stated that his administration is determined to transform the livestock sector into a modern, resilient, and globally competitive industry. “Today, 18 states have already keyed into this vision by focusing on livestock development to unlock the sector’s potential for food security, nutritional sovereignty, job creation, rural empowerment, and poverty reduction,” he said.
He added that the Ministry’s mandate is to create an enabling environment for both international investors like Arla-Dano and local stakeholders to contribute meaningfully toward meeting Nigeria’s growing demand for dairy products. “The ease of doing business in Nigeria is improving. Investors are encouraged to come in; we will guide, advise, and connect them with willing state governments ready to allocate land for livestock development,” he noted.
President Tinubu further disclosed that government interventions will also extend to other livestock value chains, including small ruminants, goats, sheep, and red meat production. While commissioning Arla-Dano’s new yoghurt factory, he commended the company’s investment drive and its role in creating jobs, building local capacity, and strengthening rural economies, all in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Behind every glass of milk is a network of hardworking farmers, dedicated professionals, and robust systems that deserve our respect and support,” President Tinubu said, assuring Arla Foods of continued government collaboration to reduce Nigeria’s dependency on dairy imports.
In his goodwill message, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Mua’zu Meyere, reaffirmed that agriculture employs over 51 percent of Kaduna’s population. He noted that the state government has demonstrated its commitment to food security by allocating over 10 percent of its 2025 budget to agriculture.
Earlier, the Managing Director of Arla Foods Nigeria, Mr. Peder Petersen, said the Open Day was designed to foster knowledge sharing among farmers, partners, and stakeholders to boost dairy productivity and sustainability.
The event drew participation from representatives of the United Nations, the Danish Embassy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, government officials, and other key stakeholders in the agricultural sector.