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By Daniel Adaji
Nigeria produces only about 35 per cent of its annual milk consumption, falling short of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended intake.
World Milk Day is a global event established by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to highlight the importance of milk as a vital source of nutrition, especially for children, playing a key role in combating malnutrition and promoting healthy growth and development.
Speaking in Abuja to commemorate the World Milk Day on Sunday, the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development revealed that Nigeria’s milk production stands at 600,000 metric tonnes annually, while national demand is approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes.
This leaves a $1.5bn annual milk import bill, primarily for powdered milk, that the government aims to cut significantly.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said, “Nigeria consumes approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk annually, yet we produce only about 600,000 metric tonnes locally, covering just 35 percent of national demand. The remaining 65 percent, worth over $1.5bn, is imported, mainly in powdered form. This dependence weakens our economy, drains foreign reserves, and limits local industry growth.”
He said the average Nigerian drinks only 8.7 liters of milk per year, far below the WHO’s recommended 210 liters and even beneath the African average of 40 liters.
“Our indigenous cattle breeds yield an average of 1-2 litres of milk per day, compared to exotic breeds like Friesians or Jerseys, which can produce more than 20-30 litres daily under proper management,” Maiha said.
The Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to doubling local milk production to 1.2 million metric tonnes within five years, in line with the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) recently approved by the National Economic Council.
This strategy prioritizes livestock value chain development, feed and fodder improvement, breed enhancement, animal health, and empowering youth and women in the sector.
“We are charting a new course, guided by the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, 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,” Maiha said.
He said the Ministry has already registered eight new pasture species, the first such registration in 48 years and developed a National Strategy and Action Plan on Animal Genetic Resources, supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Vaccine production at the National Veterinary Research Institute is also being expanded from 120 million to 850 million doses annually to improve animal health.
“We have commissioned a solar-powered vaccine storage facility with 40 million-dose capacity in Sheda, Abuja, and inaugurated the Wase Livestock Village as a model for rehabilitating 417 grazing reserves,” he said.
Maiha praised state governments and private sector partners for their vital role. “Nearly half of Nigeria’s 36 states have set up their own Ministries or agencies for livestock development,” he said.
Maiha said the Federal Government plans to convene the inaugural National Council on Livestock Development before the end of 2025.
“This council will serve as the apex platform for deliberation, harmonisation, and review of policies and initiatives in the livestock sector. It will bring together state governments, development partners, private sector players, researchers, and pastoralist communities to shape a unified national agenda for sustainable development,” he stated.