Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that Nigeria imports dairy products worth $1.55 billion annually.
According to Abdullahi, Nigerians are predicted to consume 1.6 billion liters of milk and its derivatives yearly, with 60% coming from imports.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday in Abuja to commemorate World Milk Day in 2024, Abdullahi said that 60% of the goods are imported.
The official World Milk Day is observed on June 1st worldwide. According to Abdullahi, Nigeria would observe the day with the subject “Harnessing the Nutrition and Investment opportunities in the Dairy Value Chain.”
According to him, the two themes centered on highlighting the critical role dairy played in providing Nigerians, particularly women and children, with wholesome nourishment.
According to the minister, it also aims to boost employment and the nation’s economic growth while enhancing the lives of dairy farmers and other participants in the value chain.
He added that Nigeria imports dairy goods at a cost of 1.5 billion dollars annually, based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The reason for this is that, despite Nigerians consuming an average of 1.6 billion liters of milk and its derivatives, we had a production shortfall of about 60%.
“President Bola Tinubu has a strong desire for us to achieve national production security, which will even enable the export of dairy products to African nations through the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).”
“Quick actions to transform the livestock sector, especially the dairy value chain, towards attaining food and nutrition security become not only imperative but also an urgent national duty in pursuit of this priority plan,” the speaker stated.
The minister stated that the Federal Government was aware of the main problems and difficulties facing the diary industry.
He gave the assurance that President Tinubu truly cares about the dairy business and wants to turn it around as soon as possible.
He declared, “As we work hard to renew the hope of dairy value chain actors, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is ready for the challenges ahead.”
According to Abdullahi, the ministry will diligently and strategically implement the authorized National Dairy Policy over the next five years in partnership with domestic and foreign partners.
According to him, the new dairy policy would guarantee initiatives and interventions to guarantee better dairy farming methods and strengthen small-holder dairy farmers’ capabilities through extension and training programs.
Abdullahi stated that among other things, part of the initiatives will concentrate on best practices in milk production, handling, collecting, and animal husbandry.
The president of the Commercial Diary Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar, expressed his gratitude for the attention milk, a nutrient-dense animal product, is receiving on a national and international level in a goodwill letter.
He reaffirmed CODARAN’s dedication to the production, processing, distribution, and consumption of wholesome dairy products throughout Africa.
Additionally, Mr. Temi Adegoroyo, Managing Partner of Sahel Consulting Ltd., expressed gratitude for the ministry’s and company’s cooperation in advancing Nigeria’s local diary industry.
“We are making sure that a lot more private businesses are connected to Nigerian small-holder farmers and that responsive, fresh milk supply chains are established.”
“The goal is to boost Nigeria’s fresh milk productivity,” Adegoroyo declared.
