We must end $1.5bn annual milk import bill

Says Kaduna emerging as Nigeria’s dairy hub

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From Sola Ojo, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, October 29, restated his administration’s commitment to ending Nigeria’s dependence on imported milk and dairy products, which costs the country over $1.5 billion annually.

Represented by the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr Idi Mukhtar Maina, at the Arla Dano Open Day held in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the president said Nigeria must correct the paradox of being a livestock-rich nation that still relies heavily on imports to meet its dairy needs.

He said the country produces only 0.7 million litres of milk annually, with per capita consumption of 8.7 litres, far below the World Health Organization’s 210 litres benchmark.

Tinubu noted that the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development was a deliberate move to unlock the livestock value chain, reduce imports, and strengthen food security.

The President commended Arla Foods and Arla Dano Farm for their multimillion-dollar investment in dairy production.

To him, “Kaduna is now an emerging dairy hub and a model for modern livestock development.”

He said such initiatives would empower farmers, create jobs, and boost rural livelihoods.

On his part, the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, noted that the state was leading agricultural transformation by allocating over 10 per cent of its 2025 budget to food security.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu Meyere, the governor added that agriculture contributes 51 per cent of the state’s GDP and employs about 70 per cent of the population.

According to him, the state had established key institutions including the Livestock Regulatory Authority, Livestock Transformation Company, and Ranch Development Company to enhance productivity and attract private investment.

The governor highlighted the Damau Household Milk Farm Project, which is settling 1,000 pastoralist families into cooperative dairy farming on 8,000 hectares of land, with 600 hectares developed for irrigated pasture.

Earlier, Project Manager of Arla Dano Farm, Mr Snorri Sigurdsson, said the Damau farm currently has over 400 dairy cows, with plans to double production next year.

He added that the project aimed to make Damau the “heart of milk production in Nigeria.”

Highlights of the event include farm tour, commissioning of a yoghurt factory, unveiling of Sustainable Climate Resilient Economic Empowerment and Nutrition (SCREEN) project during the ceremony and inauguration of the Nigerian Dairy Centre of Excellence.