Nigeria Targets Dairy Breakthrough to Cut Imports, Empower Local Farmers

Nigeria is setting the stage for a major transformation in its dairy sector — and local producers are poised to lead the charge.

Source: BusinessDay

The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost domestic milk production and slash dependence on costly imports, aiming to turn Nigeria into a self-sufficient dairy powerhouse. At the heart of this initiative is a private sector-led strategy under the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), announced by the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar, during a meeting in Abuja with representatives from the French Development Agency (AFD) and ECOWAS.

“Our focus is on building a sustainable, productive dairy industry that serves our people and drives economic growth,” Mukhtar said.

He acknowledged persistent challenges in the sector, from limited milk collection and storage infrastructure to high transportation costs. However, he noted that several state governments are already stepping in by providing land to support large-scale livestock development — a key step toward long-term growth.

Mukhtar urged herders to transition from nomadic practices to designated grazing reserves, where the government is rolling out breed improvement, disease control, and pasture development programs. These changes, he emphasized, are critical not just for production but also for curbing deadly herder-farmer conflicts.

“We can’t continue moving animals from place to place. It's unsafe and unsustainable,” he said.

Backing Nigeria’s dairy ambitions, the French Development Agency pledged financial and technical support. AFD Country Director Xavier Muron confirmed that plans are underway to roll out grants for local milk producers, in collaboration with ECOWAS.

“Our mission is clear — help West African countries, starting with Nigeria, reduce their reliance on milk imports and strengthen their own supply chains,” Muron said.

With over 47 million children and a growing consumer base, Nigeria’s dairy market is ripe for expansion — and this initiative could be the tipping point that reshapes the industry.