By Dele Ogbodo
The Federal government has expressed readiness to convene the first ever National Council Meeting on Livestock Development before December of 2025.
Livestock Development Minister, Mr. Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said the move is crucial to cutting the country’s over $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill and positioning Nigeria on a path to nutritional self-sufficiency.
Maiha, made the disclosure in Abuja to commemorate this year’s world milk day, stated that the council will serve as the apex platform for deliberations, harmonization and review of policies and initiatives in the livestock sector.
The Minister, said the Council will bring together, key stakeholders, including state governments, development partners, private sector players, researchers as well as pastoralist communities to shape a unified National agenda for sustainable development in line with the renewed hope agenda of this administration.
In a related development the Minister revealed plans to transform the dairy industry by doubling down on local milk production, reducing dependency on imports, and unlocking the economic potential of the livestock sector.
The Minister also highlighted Nigeria’s plan to increase national milk production from 700,000 metric tonnes to 1.4 million metric tonnes annually within 5 years.
Mukhtar, noted that this move is crucial to cutting the country’s over $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill and positioning Nigeria on a path to nutritional self-sufficiency.
Part of the activities marking the world milk day was a road show, personally led by the minister and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Chinyere Akujobi, which took off from Eagle Square.
Staff of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, sector stakeholders, civil society groups and dairy enthusiasts participated fully in the road show with clear commitment to building a healthy, self-reliant, and productive dairy economy in Nigeria.
Speaking at an interactive session with journalists, the Minister said;
“We are charting a new course, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS), which focuses on critical pillars such as feed and fodder development, livestock value chain transformation, breed improvement, animal health, youth and women empowerment, and access to finance.
According to the Minister, achievements already recorded include the registration of eight pasture species (first in 48 years), the development of the National Strategy and Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources, and ongoing efforts to expand livestock vaccine production capacity from 120 million to 850 million doses at the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State.
Other achievements listed by the Minister include; the commissioning of a solar-powered cold storage facility in Sheda, Abuja, and inauguration of the Wase Livestock Village as a model for rehabilitating Nigeria’s 417 grazing reserves.
Maiha, cited milestone projects like the Arla Dairy Farm in Kaduna and the Nestlé-backed Paikon Kore Dairy Training Facility in Abuja as models of progress.
He commended the Ekiti State Government and Promasidor for transforming the Ikun Dairy Farm into a high-yield operation, producing 10,000 litres of milk daily.
Acknowledging the vital role of state governments, development partners and private sector players in revitalising Nigeria’s dairy landscape, meiha further noted that nearly half of Nigeria’s 36 states have already begun establishing their own Ministries or agencies for livestock development, aligning with the Federal Government’s renewed agenda for food security, economic inclusion, and rural transformation.
Companies such as Friesland Campina Wamco, Arla Foods, Zaidi Farms Ltd, Nestlé Nigeria, Integrated Dairies, and Promasidor, alongside organisations like FAO, Sahel Consulting, and the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), have partnered with the Ministry to introduce best practices, invest in dairy demonstration farms, and support smallholder farmers.
Maiha lauded the media for their role in shaping public opinion and amplifying government efforts.
“Your voices shape perception, your stories amplify impact, and your platforms connect government efforts with the people they are meant to serve…the success of this Ministry’s vision depends, in part, on how well we tell our story, and we need you to help us tell it boldly, accurately, passionately and consistently.” he said.
