By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government and key stakeholders in Nigeria’s dairy and livestock sectors have validated the National Action Plan for the Promotion of Local Milk in Nigeria, in a move aimed at strengthening domestic milk production and reducing dependence on imports.
The validation took place at a workshop organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and Sahel Consulting in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, called for a shift from policy discussions to practical interventions capable of addressing the challenges confronting local dairy farmers.
Maiha disclosed that Nigeria spends over $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports despite its vast livestock resources, stressing that reversing the trend would require coordinated efforts, sustained investment and stronger partnerships between farmers and processors.
He identified improved dairy breeds, quality feed and water, animal health services, extension support, milk collection and cooling facilities, processing capacity and market access as critical requirements for developing the sector.
The minister also advocated commercially viable dairy clusters backed by reliable infrastructure, private sector investment and clearly defined institutional responsibilities.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the Action Plan incorporates implementation timelines, funding arrangements, measurable targets and accountability mechanisms, while creating opportunities for women and young people across the dairy value chain.
In his goodwill message, the ECOWAS representative, Dr Bio Goura Soule, commended Nigeria for developing the Action Plan, describing the country as an important player in regional dairy development.
Similarly, the representative of the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), Dianabasi Akpainyang, described the initiative as timely and consistent with efforts to strengthen Nigeria's dairy industry.
Speaking on behalf of Sahel Consulting's Managing Partner, Temi Adegoroye, the organisation's representative highlighted its contribution to local dairy development through the Advancing Local Dairy Development in Nigeria project, which has facilitated the sourcing of over 16 million litres of milk from local farmers since 2020.
The representative stressed the need for increased utilisation of locally produced milk by processors to guarantee sustainable markets for farmers and strengthen the domestic dairy value chain.
The representative of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment also pledged support for the sector through relevant institutional structures, incentives and other mechanisms to promote growth.
The validated Action Plan is expected to provide a coordinated framework for improving local milk production, strengthening dairy value chains, attracting investment and advancing Nigeria's drive towards dairy self-sufficiency.