The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create economic opportunities for 37,000 women and youths across Nigeria’s dairy value chain as part of efforts to boost local milk production, reduce import dependence, and strengthen rural livelihoods.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, disclosed the initiative in Abuja during a road walk organised to mark the 2026 World Milk Day celebration. The event, observed globally every June 1, was themed “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation.”
Represented by his Special Assistant, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, the minister said the programme is currently undergoing consultations and is designed to support women and youths involved in dairy production, processing, and marketing activities.
According to him, the initiative will focus on skills development, enterprise integration, cooperative strengthening, access to finance, technology transfer, and sustainable livestock production practices.
He added that the ministry is exploring the establishment of women-led milk aggregation and processing cooperatives to strengthen local value addition, improve market access, and increase participation in the dairy economy.
The proposed interventions will also include improved milk storage systems, mobile veterinary services, and extension support tailored to the unique needs of women dairy farmers, who often balance livestock production with household responsibilities.
Maiha said the World Milk Day celebration provides an opportunity to recognise the contributions of dairy farmers and their role in food security, household nutrition, rural development, and economic growth. He noted that women remain at the centre of milk production, preservation, processing, storage, and marketing across the country.
He stressed that empowering women and youths is critical to transforming Nigeria’s livestock and dairy industries, describing them as a key pillar of the ministry’s growth strategy.
The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to gender-responsive dairy policies that expand opportunities through improved productivity, skills development, value addition, milk aggregation systems, and enterprise support initiatives.
He noted that the dairy sector is experiencing significant growth globally, with rising demand driven by population growth, urbanisation, and increasing incomes. According to data cited from the International Dairy Federation, global milk production now exceeds 780 million metric tonnes annually.
Maiha highlighted Nigeria’s significant dairy supply gap, noting that national milk demand is estimated at 1.7 million metric tonnes annually, while local production stands between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes. The shortfall, he said, contributes to an estimated $1.5 billion annual expenditure on dairy imports.
He explained that closing this gap presents a major opportunity for local producers, agribusinesses, processors, and entrepreneurs within the dairy ecosystem.
Also speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, said the celebration reflected a shared commitment to improving nutrition, promoting healthy lifestyles, advancing sustainable livestock development, and strengthening Nigeria’s dairy industry.
Represented by Dr. Victor Egbon, she emphasised the importance of collaboration between government agencies, development partners, and private sector stakeholders in unlocking the sector’s potential, increasing local milk production, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on imported dairy products.
The initiative is expected to create new opportunities for women-led businesses, youth entrepreneurs, cooperatives, processors, and other MSMEs operating within Nigeria’s growing dairy value chain.
