The Federal Government has announced plans to establish a Dairy Development and Milk Marketing Board as part of the implementation framework for the National Dairy Policy, designed to boost local milk production and regulate Nigeria’s dairy value chain.
The Special Adviser and Coordinator of the National Presidential Livestock Reforms Initiatives, Professor Attahiru Jega, revealed this during a workshop in Abuja on the Final Review and Validation of the Framework for the Implementation of the National Dairy Policy.
Represented by Professor Demo Kalla, a member of the Committee and Director of the Dairy Research and Development Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Professor Jega explained that the framework is anchored on eleven strategic pillars. He said it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on economic growth, food security, and job creation.
“The framework underscores the President’s commitment to reposition the livestock and dairy sectors as key drivers of food security, job creation, and sustainable economic growth,” he said. He further noted that the dairy industry is not just about milk production but also represents nutrition, empowerment, and opportunities for farmers, women, and youth across the country.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, emphasized the need for urgent and coordinated efforts to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry and reduce the nation’s $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill. Speaking at the validation workshop, the Minister said, “This meeting marks a shift from policy formulation to practical implementation.” He added that Nigeria has enough livestock resources to meet domestic milk demand if properly managed.
According to him, the country’s dependence on imported dairy products is unsustainable and inconsistent with President Tinubu’s vision of economic diversification and self-reliance. To stimulate local milk production, the Minister announced several incentives for investors and farmers, including tax holidays, soft loans, tariff protection, and the establishment of dairy development hubs in key production zones nationwide.
The Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Enoh, represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Policy and Governance, Dr Adedeji Adeshile, said the workshop demonstrated the government’s collective resolve to turn policy commitments into tangible results that would transform the dairy sector.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma-Akujobi, represented by Dr Victor Egbo, said the dairy sector has faced long-standing challenges such as low milk yield, poor breed quality, and weak market linkages. She added that the workshop was an opportunity to validate and refine strategies aimed at building a sustainable and competitive dairy industry that meets Nigeria’s growing demand for milk and other dairy products.
