The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), is advancing a major dairy investment in partnership with UK-based Asset Green Ltd., a move expected to generate about 7,500 jobs across farming, processing and supply chains.
The initiative, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in London ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s state visit, signals a significant push to reposition Nigeria’s dairy industry while creating employment opportunities at scale. The project is projected to deliver about 2,500 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs, spanning farm operations, logistics, processing and allied services.
British Deputy High Commissioner to Nigeria, Jonny Baxter, described the development as one of the country’s most ambitious dairy investments, noting its potential to reshape the sector. According to him, “once operational, it is projected to generate over $620 million annually and create about 2,500 direct and 5,000 indirect jobs.”
Beyond job creation, the project integrates large-scale production with processing capacity. It will combine 20,000 hectares of climate-smart forage cultivation with a 10,000-milking cow operation, alongside a processing facility capable of producing fresh milk, milk powder, butter, cream and up to 15,000 metric tonnes of infant formula annually.
The employment impact is expected to extend beyond formal roles, as the initiative will also integrate up to 10,000 rural households through out-grower schemes, creating income opportunities for local farmers and strengthening rural economies. This structure places job creation at the centre of a broader value chain that links production, aggregation and industrial processing.
NSIA Managing Director, Aminu Umar-Sadiq, emphasised the economic significance of the project, valued at nearly $500 million. He said, “by combining climate-smart farming, advanced processing and inclusive out-grower participation, we are building a modern, competitive dairy sector. This will reduce import dependence, create jobs and deliver long-term value for Nigerians.”
Asset Green director, Rod Bassett, also highlighted the scale of opportunity embedded in the partnership, noting that the investment would unlock agricultural potential and expand local production capacity. He stated that the greenfield project would develop critical infrastructure while supporting sustainability and improving food system resilience.
The collaboration underscores a strategic approach by the Federal Government to drive employment through large-scale agribusiness investments, using public-private partnerships to stimulate growth across multiple layers of the economy.
