ABUJA, NIGERIA – In a significant stride towards bolstering Nigeria’s nascent dairy industry, Nestlé Nigeria has inked a landmark agreement with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, promising a fresh injection of skills, technology, and economic upliftment for thousands of local milk producers. The pact, formalised yesterday in commemoration of World Milk Day 2025, sets the stage for a new Dairy Technical Skills Development Programme, poised to transform the country’s milk output both in quantity and quality.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) signed between the two entities reflects a shared commitment to addressing critical gaps in the dairy value chain. At its core, the initiative aims to cultivate a pool of mid-level technical and vocational skills essential for enhancing food security, improving nutrition, and fostering sustainable livelihoods across the nation.
“This partnership will focus on establishing capacity-building programmes centred on milk production, processing, hygiene, and management,” stated the Ministry, highlighting plans to promote industry-relevant skills through training modules developed in close collaboration with stakeholders. The ultimate goal? To significantly enhance milk quality and productivity across local dairy clusters through vital knowledge sharing and technical support.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, the Minister of Livestock Development, underscored the government’s unwavering focus on the dairy sector since the establishment of his ministry. He detailed how the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy has honed in on key pillars, including livestock value chain development and critical feed and fodder improvement.
A cornerstone of this new collaboration, Maiha revealed, will be the commissioning of a Dairy Training Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada. This facility is envisioned as a hub for nurturing mid-level manpower and equipping farmers with modern practices to enhance productivity.
Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director/Chief Executive of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, exuded confidence in the venture. “In addition to our global dairy experience, Nestlé has built capacity to provide targeted training programmes on best practices in dairy farming adapted to the Nigerian context,” he affirmed. He described the LOI as more than just a formal agreement, but rather a “mutual dedication to bridge the gap in mid-level technical skills within the dairy sector to meet the growing demands of the market.”
Elhusseini expressed optimism about the ripple effect of the partnership, stating, “We are confident that this will have a positive impact on our communities by creating more jobs, improving livelihoods, and supporting a stronger economy.”
Nestlé’s commitment to the Nigerian dairy sector is not new. Since the launch of its Dairy Development Project (NLDP) in 2019, the company has been actively shaping the landscape. The NLDP boasts an impressive track record, having established 83 dairy cooperatives that now benefit over 3,000 milk producers and has aggregated more than one million litres of raw milk.
According to a statement from Victoria Uwadoka, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Lead at Nestlé Nigeria, the company’s efforts have extended to training over 2,000 milk producers in best practices, vaccinating over 36,744 cattle, and facilitating crucial water access through the construction of 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs. These interventions have yielded tangible results, with milk quality improving dramatically and rejection rates plummeting from 12 per cent in 2021 to a commendable five per cent in 2024.
Perhaps most impressively, the company reports a substantial increase in monthly revenue for milk producers, soaring from N70,000 in 2019 to a robust N250,000 in 2024. This significant leap underscores the transformative potential of targeted support and modern agricultural techniques.
The recent launch of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm, which showcases how local breeds can increase milk production from an average of one litre per cow per day to over 10 litres using best practices, further cemented the partnership. Following its launch, the Minister extended an invitation to Nestlé to convert the farm into a full-fledged training institute – an opportunity the dairy giant eagerly embraced, paving the way for yesterday’s momentous signing.
“By investing in the future of Nigeria’s dairy sector, Nestlé is dedicated to building capacity and capability for a sustainable and prosperous industry that supports the nation’s development,” Elhusseini concluded, painting a picture of a revitalised dairy industry poised for significant growth.
