News in brief:
– To mark World Milk Day 2025, Nigeria’s FG announced plans to double milk production and cut its $1.5 billion dairy import bill through the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy.
– Minister Idi Maiha said the country currently meets only 35% of its milk demand, urging investments in improved breeds, animal health, and modern husbandry practices.
As Nigeria joins the global community to mark World Milk Day (WMD) 2025, the Federal Government has unveiled new plans to boost local milk production and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on dairy imports.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, revealed that Nigeria produces just 600,000 metric tonnes of milk annually, covering only 35 per cent of its estimated 1.7 million metric tonnes demand. The remaining 65 per cent is imported, costing the country over $1.5 billion each year, mostly on powdered milk.
“This dependence weakens our economy, drains foreign reserves, and limits local industry growth,” the Minister stated. He added that Nigeria’s average per capita milk consumption is just 8.7 litres annually, significantly lower than the World Health Organisation’s recommended 210 litres, and even below the African average of 40 litres.
To address this shortfall, Maiha announced the government’s commitment to doubling milk production to 1.2 million metric tonnes within five years through the recently launched National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS). The 10-pillar strategy focuses on livestock value chain development, improved feed and pasture, breed enhancement, animal health, youth and women empowerment, and access to finance.
Key interventions include the registration of eight new pasture species (the first in 48 years), a National Strategy on Animal Genetic Resources, and expanded vaccine production at the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) from 120 million to 850 million doses annually.
Maiha also highlighted infrastructure developments such as a solar-powered vaccine storage facility in Sheda and the Wase Livestock Village, a model for rehabilitating Nigeria’s 417 grazing reserves.
Prof. Eustace Iyayi, the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant, urged Nigerians to embrace dairy and invest in improved animal husbandry practices. “We must upscale milk yield through better management to reduce the import gap,” he said.
World Milk Day, celebrated globally on June 1, was established by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to emphasise milk’s role in fighting malnutrition and promoting healthy growth.
