From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The federal government, through Ministry of Livestock Development, have struck a deal to launch dairy technical skills development programme.
The initiative, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LOI) signed on Monday, to mark the World Milk Day 2025, is to enhance the quality and volume of milk production in Nigeria and to address critical needs within the dairy sector.
Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini, said the LOI reflected a shared commitment to develop mid-level technical and vocational skills essential for strengthening Nigeria’s dairy value chain, ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable livelihoods.
Elhusseini said the partnership would focus on establishing capacity-building programme centered on milk production, processing, hygiene, and management.
He said the initiative would promote industry-relevant skills through training modules developed in collaboration with stakeholders; equally it would enhance milk quality and productivity across local dairy clusters through knowledge sharing and technical support.
In addition to the global dairy experience, he said: “Nestlé has built capacity to provide targeted training programs on best practices in dairy farming adapted to the Nigerian context.
“This is why the Letter of Intent signifies more than a formal agreement; it reflects our mutual dedication to bridge the gap in mid-level technical skills within the dairy sector to meet the growing demands of the market.
“We are confident that this will have a positive impact on our communities by creating more jobs, improving livelihoods, and supporting a stronger economy.”
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, remarked that, “Since the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, we have taken significant steps to address the challenges facing the dairy value chain.
“Under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, we are focusing on key pillars, including livestock value chain development and feed and fodder improvement.
“Our collaboration with Nestlé Nigeria will lead to the commissioning of a Dairy Training Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, aimed at building mid-level manpower and training farmers to enhance productivity through modern practices.”
Elhusseini added: “From the launch of its Dairy Development Project (NLDP) in 2019, Nestlé Nigeria has been actively contributing to the enhancement of the dairy sector.
“The NLDP has established 83 dairy cooperatives, benefiting over 3,000 milk producers and has aggregated more than 1 million liters of raw milk.
“Nestlé has also trained over 2,000 milk producers in best practices, vaccinated over 36,744 cattle, and facilitated water access through the construction of 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs.
“These efforts have led to significant improvements in milk quality, reducing rejection rates from 12% in 2021 to as low as 5% in 2024, while monthly revenue for milk producers has increased from ₦70,000 in 2019 to ₦250,000 in 2024.
“The launch of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm provides a practical model to illustrate how best practices can safely increase milk production of local breeds from an average of 1 liter per cow per day to over 10 liters.”