FG partners NNDC to cut Nigeria’s $1.5bn milk import

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) are set to collaborate to lower the nation’s annual milk import bill of over $1.5 billion. This commitment followed a high-level meeting held on Friday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions discussed a framework for joint action under the […]

The Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and the New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) are set to collaborate to lower the nation’s annual milk import bill of over $1.5 billion.

This commitment followed a high-level meeting held on Friday at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions discussed a framework for joint action under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).

Speaking at the meeting, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, noted that a potential collaboration could be a game-changer for the dairy value chain.

He said the ministry was committed to developing sustainable clusters supported by strong technical expertise, modern infrastructure, and inclusive opportunities for both pastoralists and commercial producers.

• Shun desperate politicians, Otuaro warns ex-N/Delta agitators
• Saudi Arabia extends eye care mission to Ibadan

Maiha noted that the ministry had identified key priority areas requiring investment, including genetics improvement, cold-chain logistics, extension services, and structured market systems.

“Your proposal resonates strongly with our mandate. We welcome NNDC’s interest in catalysing change within the livestock sector. This collaboration has the potential to unlock dormant value chains, especially in dairy, and help us meet our national targets.”

“The truth is, we are where we are because we’ve lacked the right investors—those who truly understand the dynamics of livestock production and can fill critical gaps in genetics, feeding systems, infrastructure, and market access,” the minister said.

The minister highlighted that the success of the NL-GAS depends on the growth of livestock clusters with a commercial focus, which include smallholder farmers, herders, and processors, as well as on stakeholder coordination and co-investment.

Earlier, the Group Managing Director of NNDC, Shehu Mai-Borno, who led the delegation, emphasised the company’s willingness to contribute infrastructure, capital, and experience.

“We intend to establish integrated dairy hubs that empower smallholder farmers, create jobs, and increase local milk supply, especially across northern Nigeria,” he said.

He added that NNDC is shifting its investment approach to concentrate on industries with significant impact potential, with livestock being one of the top sectors.

At the end of the meeting, the parties agreed to immediately set up a joint task team to develop an implementation blueprint that will align with the ministry’s broader livestock transformation agenda.

The New Nigeria Development Company (NNDC) was established in 1949 as the Northern Regional Production Development Board and later restructured in 1956 as the Northern Regional Development Corporation. In 1965, it was incorporated as a private limited liability company and renamed NNDC in 1976 following the creation of states from the former Northern Region. Its founding objective has remained focused on promoting economic development across the 19 northern states of Nigeria.