The Federal Government of Nigeria has joined hands with Nestlé Nigeria to launch a new programme that will train local farmers in modern dairy farming techniques. This partnership is aimed at improving milk production across the country and helping farmers earn better incomes. The move was officially announced on Monday, June 2, during the signing of a Letter of Intent between Nestlé Nigeria and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, as part of activities marking World Milk Day 2025.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Maiha, who spoke at the event, said the government is determined to tackle the problems in the dairy value chain. He explained that since the ministry was created, efforts have been made under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy to promote animal feed development, improve grazing conditions, and support livestock production. According to him, the partnership with Nestlé Nigeria will help in training farmers to adopt modern dairy practices that can lead to better productivity.
One major feature of the programme is the setting up of a Dairy Training Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, in the Federal Capital Territory. The centre will focus on training farmers and mid-level professionals in milk production, hygiene, processing, and farm management. The aim is to boost both the quality and quantity of milk produced locally, reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported dairy products, and empower rural communities.
Nestlé Nigeria’s Managing Director and CEO, Wassim Elhusseini, said the partnership goes beyond a mere agreement. He said the collaboration shows a strong commitment to building technical skills that are badly needed in Nigeria’s dairy sector. He pointed out that Nestlé’s global experience in dairy, coupled with local knowledge, gives the company the ability to create training programmes tailored for Nigerian farmers.
Elhusseini also spoke about Nestlé’s ongoing efforts to develop the dairy industry in Nigeria. He said the company started its Dairy Development Project in 2019 and since then has set up 83 dairy cooperatives, reaching over 3,000 milk producers directly. Through the project, over 1 million liters of raw milk have been collected, and more than 2,000 farmers have been trained on good dairy practices.
He further disclosed that Nestlé Nigeria has vaccinated close to 37,000 cattle to prevent disease outbreaks and has built vital infrastructure such as 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs to ensure farmers and their animals have access to clean water. These efforts have led to better quality milk, as rejection rates have dropped from 12% in 2021 to just 5% in 2024. Farmers’ monthly income has also improved significantly, rising from an average of ₦70,000 in 2019 to ₦250,000 in 2024.
In addition to this, Nestlé Nigeria recently introduced a Dairy Demonstration Farm. This model farm is used to show farmers how improved feeding, health care, and management can raise milk production from 1 liter per cow per day to over 10 liters. The impressive results from the demonstration farm convinced the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to invite Nestlé to turn it into a formal training institute. Nestlé has accepted the proposal and is set to begin work on this plan.
This new initiative between the Federal Government and Nestlé Nigeria is expected to transform the dairy sector by creating more jobs, improving food security, and supporting economic growth. By equipping Nigerian farmers with modern skills and tools, the programme aims to make Nigeria more self-sufficient in milk production and improve the standard of living for rural communities.
