FG, Nestlé Partner on Livestock Genetics, Dairy Training

The Federal Government and Nestlé Nigeria Plc have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to improve livestock genetics and increase farmers’ productivity.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said the agreement will support the establishment of a dairy skills development centre to provide practical training for farmers in ranch management and dairy production, regardless of breed. He said the initiative addresses the shortage of technical skills needed to run modern dairy farms and ranches in Nigeria.

Maiha noted that Nigeria currently has few specialised institutions offering hands-on training in large-scale dairy farm management, breeding, fodder production and animal health. He said the centre will train farmers to manage livestock as a business and help boost investor confidence in the sector.

According to him, the first group of trainees is expected to complete the programme within one year. He added that the project supports President Bola Tinubu’s livestock transformation agenda aimed at improving productivity and reducing conflicts linked to livestock production.

Managing Director of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said the partnership moves the earlier plan between the company and the ministry into action. He said Nestlé had previously signed a letter of intent with the ministry in 2025.

Elhusseini said the company has invested more than 1.8 billion naira in dairy development since 2019 through its livestock development project. He said the investment has led to the collection of over one million litres of raw milk, the training of more than two thousand pastoralists, and the vaccination of over thirty-six thousand cattle.

He added that the new training centre will help expand these efforts and strengthen Nigeria’s dairy value chain.