FG targets 37,000 women, youths in dairy value chain

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create economic opportunities for 37,000 women and youths across Nigeria’s dairy value chain, spanning production, processing and marketing.

The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, disclosed this in Abuja during a road walk held to mark the 2026 World Milk Day celebration.

Represented by his Special Assistant, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, the minister said the initiative is part of broader efforts to empower women dairy farmers and strengthen the sector through targeted interventions.

He explained that the programme, currently under consultation, will focus on skills development, enterprise integration, cooperative strengthening, access to finance, technology transfer and sustainable livestock production.

Maiha added that the ministry is considering the establishment of women-led milk aggregation and processing cooperatives to boost local value addition and improve market access.

He said other measures under consideration include improved milk storage systems, mobile veterinary services and extension support tailored to women, who play a central role in dairy production and household livelihoods.

According to him, women remain critical to milk production, preservation, processing and marketing, stressing that meaningful transformation of the dairy sector cannot occur without their inclusion.

Describing women and youths as a key pillar of the ministry’s strategy, he said the government is committed to implementing gender-responsive policies that enhance productivity and expand opportunities in the sector.

Maiha noted that Nigeria’s dairy industry still faces a significant supply gap, with annual demand estimated at 1.7 million metric tonnes compared to local production of between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes.

He said the shortfall has led to heavy reliance on imports, costing the country about $1.5 billion annually.

The minister also highlighted global trends, citing data from the International Dairy Federation which shows that worldwide milk production exceeds 780 million metric tonnes, with demand rising in developing economies.

In her remarks, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Chinyere Akujobi, emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, private sector and development partners to unlock the sector’s potential and reduce import dependence.

She said such partnerships are vital to improving local production, enhancing nutrition and driving economic growth through a more sustainable and inclusive dairy industry.