Arla Foods Invests €10m in Kaduna to Power Nigeria’s Dairy Revolution

Arla Foods has deepened its footprint in Nigeria’s dairy sector with a €10 million investment in a modern milk processing facility in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The new plant, described as a game-changer for local milk production, is expected to boost Nigeria’s dairy value chain, create hundreds of jobs, and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported milk products.

Governor Uba Sani, who announced the development at the Arla Open Day Ceremony, hailed the investment as a major step toward industrializing Kaduna and positioning the state as a hub for dairy innovation in West Africa. He said the initiative reflects the growing confidence of global investors in Kaduna’s business-friendly climate and the government’s commitment to revitalizing the livestock sector.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. AbdulKadir Muazu Meyere, the governor revealed that the Arla facility is designed to produce between four and five million kilograms of milk annually when operating at full capacity. He noted that since the inception of his administration, local milk production has grown significantly, generating both direct and indirect employment across the value chain.

He also expressed delight at the unveiling of the Nigeria Dairy Center of Excellence, the Sedentarization and Climate Change Resilience in Nigeria (SCREEN) Project, and a newly commissioned yoghurt factory — all aimed at enhancing productivity and promoting climate-smart livestock practices.

Speaking on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, praised the Kaduna government and Arla Foods for their partnership, calling it a model of successful collaboration between the public and private sectors. He said the project aligns perfectly with the Federal Government’s local content policy and vision to make Nigeria self-sufficient in milk production.

The minister lamented that Nigeria still produces only about 0.7 million litres of milk annually — far below national demand — while spending over $1.5 billion on dairy imports. He reaffirmed that the creation of the Ministry of Livestock Development marks a bold step toward unlocking the sector’s full potential, ending import dependency, and transforming livestock farming into a driver of nutrition, peace, and prosperity for Nigerians.