We must end $1.5bn annual milk import –Tinubu

From  Sola Ojo, Abuja

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

Speaking through the Minister of Livestock Development, Dr. Idi Maina at the Arla Dano Open Day in Damau, Kubau Local Government Area of Kaduna State, he 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 is a deliberate move to unlock the livestock value chain, reduce imports, and strengthen food security.

He commended Arla Foods and Arla Dano Farm for their investment in dairy production. “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.

Governor Uba Sani noted that the state is leading agricultural transformation by allocating over 10 percent of its 2025 budget to food security.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Abdulkadir Meyere, he added that agriculture contributes 51 percent of the state’s GDP and employs about 70 percent of the population.

He said the state has 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, 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 included a farm tour, commissioning of a yogurt factory, unveiling of Sustainable Climate Resilient Economic Empowerment and Nutrition (SCREEN) project during the ceremony and inauguration of the Nigerian Dairy Centre of Excellence.