The Federal Government has advanced a comprehensive economic intervention scheme designed to create sustainable livelihoods for 37,000 women and young people across the production, processing, and marketing segments of the national dairy value chain.
This multi-sectoral initiative was unveiled by the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha, during a strategic advocacy walk in Abuja this Saturday to mark the 2026 World Milk Day.
Focusing directly on gender-inclusive technology transfer and cooperative development now, the ministry has moved to aggressively bridge the nation’s severe supply deficit and curb its massive annual reliance on foreign dairy imports.
The global event, celebrated annually on June 1st under the coordination of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), is being observed this year under the theme: “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation.”
Minister Maiha, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Professor Eustace Iyayi, explained that the ongoing policy consultations aim to establish women-led milk aggregation networks, mobile veterinary support, and tailored extension services that directly align with the household responsibilities of female smallholders.
The ministry emphasised that no meaningful industrial transformation can occur without placing women and youth at the centre of livestock architecture.
Nigeria’s dairy sector is currently facing a stark reality; according to data cited from the International Dairy Federation, while global output exceeds 780 million metric tonnes, Nigeria remains heavily dependent on external markets.
The country’s national annual milk demand stands at an estimated 1.7 million metric tonnes, whereas local production languishes between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes, leaving an extensive structural gap.
This massive supply-demand mismatch costs the Nigerian economy approximately $1.5 billion annually in foreign exchange expenditures.
To reverse this trend, the ministry is building a human resource pillar capable of expanding dairy productivity through enterprise integration and access to finance.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, represented by Dr Victor Egbon, reiterated that deep collaboration between the private sector, government institutions, and international development partners remains the only viable path to unlocking the nation’s true agricultural potential.
Source: NAN
