*Idi Maiha, Minister for Livestock Development, unofficially unveils the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, stating the Nigerian Government is also implementing gender-responsive policies aimed at creating more opportunities for women and youths through dairy cooperatives, skills development, value addition, and enterprise support
Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect
The Nigerian Government has unveiled the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, as part of efforts at transforming the dairy sector.
ConsumerConnect reports the Federal Government emphasised the development would boost local milk production, and promote greater inclusion of women farmers in the livestock value chain in the West African country.
Alhaji Idi Maiha, Honourable Minister for Livestock Development, noted this while speaking at the 2026 World Milk Day (WMD) Conference, held in Abuja, FCT.
World Milk Day is a United Nations/Food and Agricultural Organisation (UN/FAO) initiative that recognises the importance of milk as a global food.
The theme of this year’s commemoration of the WMD is: “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation”.
Maiha described women as indispensable contributors to Nigeria’s dairy industry.
The Minister also emphasised how the womenfolk have continued to play pivotal roles in milk production, processing, storage, and marketing across the country.
What’s Nigeria’s annual milk demand?
Maiha affirmed the Ministry is implementing gender-responsive policies aimed at creating more opportunities for women and youths through dairy cooperatives, skills development, value addition, and enterprise support.
He equally noted that Nigeria’s annual milk demand is estimated at about 1.7 million metric tonnes, while local production currently ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes.
The nutrition deficit has resulted in dairy imports valued at over 1.5 billion dollars annually, stated he.
Maiha, however, said ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda are beginning to yield positive results.
Minister unveils National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework
Minister Maiha has announced the official unveiling of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework.
He said the regulation was designed to strengthen local milk production, processing, cold-chain infrastructure, animal health services, and private sector participation.
Maiha also disclosed that the country continues to attract significant investments in the dairy sector.
According to him, such investments include a proposed 5,000-cow dairy farm project and a 496-million-Dollar integrated dairy production and processing venture expected to create thousands of jobs.
Speaking at the forum also, Senator John Enoh, Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, represented by Dr. Deji Adeshile, said the theme of the 2026 celebration, “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation”, aligned with the Federal Government’s commitment to gender inclusion and economic empowerment.
The Minister also described women dairy farmers as vital contributors to food security, household incomes, and national development.
Senator Enoh said the dairy sector would benefit from incentives, such as intervention funds, support for milk collection centres, import duty waivers on dairy equipment, enhanced investment incentives, and measures aimed at promoting backward integration and local manufacturing.
CODARAN commends Federal Government
Meanwhile, Muhammad Abubakar, President of the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), has applauded the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development for fostering stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the dairy industry.
The President of CODARAN said World Milk Day provides an important platform for promoting the nutritional and economic value of milk.
He also recognised the contributions of women dairy farmers to household welfare, food security, and rural development.
In their remarks, Chairman of the Presidential Livestock Reform Implementation Committee, Prof. Attahiru Jega, Prof. Demo Kalla described dairy development as a strategic economic enterprise capable of creating jobs, improving nutrition, stimulating rural industrialisation, reducing import dependence, conserving foreign exchange, and enhancing national prosperity.
He noted that the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of Women Farmers has underscored the need to provide women dairy farmers with greater access to productive resources, finance, technology, training, markets, and leadership opportunities.
Fresh milk is one of most complete, nutritious natural foods, says Minister
Mrs. Safina Lawal, the representative of the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said fresh milk remained one of the most complete and nutritious natural foods, essential for healthy growth, cognitive development, and overall well-being.
The conference formed part of activities marking the 2026 World Milk Day celebration.