FG Moves to Slash $1.5bn Dairy Import Bill, Eyes PPP to Revolutionise Nigeria’s Milk Industry
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry through a strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative aimed at expanding local milk production, reducing the country’s estimated $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill, creating jobs and repositioning the livestock sector as a major contributor to national economic growth.
The development was contained in a statement issued by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and signed by the Deputy Director, Information and Public Relations, Henrietta Okokon, following a high-level meeting between the Ministry and Hillview Ranch Enterprises Limited in Abuja.
Speaking during the review of the company’s proposal for a large-scale PPP framework, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described dairy development as a strategic pillar of the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda, stressing that Nigeria possesses the resources and market potential to become a leading dairy producer rather than relying heavily on imports.
According to the Minister, the administration is determined to develop a sustainable dairy industry capable of boosting local production, improving livestock genetics, empowering farmers and retaining greater economic value within the country.
“Our objective is not simply to import cattle. Our objective is to build a sustainable dairy industry that improves local productivity, strengthens our genetics, creates jobs, empowers livestock farmers and substantially reduces the nation’s dependence on imported dairy products,” Maiha said.
He explained that every litre of milk produced locally would stimulate economic activities across the livestock value chain, creating opportunities for farmers, processors, transporters, input suppliers and other stakeholders while reducing pressure on foreign exchange.
The Minister, however, stressed that the proposed investment must be anchored on sound technical planning, sustainable financing and internationally recognised PPP models to guarantee long-term success and value for public resources.
“We must get the model right from the outset. Large-scale interventions of this nature require careful planning, strong partnerships and clear implementation frameworks. Our responsibility is to ensure that every investment delivers measurable value to the Nigerian people,” he added.
To ensure the project meets global standards, Maiha directed that the proposal be further refined in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and other relevant stakeholders before implementation.
Earlier, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hillview Ranch Enterprises Limited, Mr. Ladan Jibrilu, presented the company’s proposal, outlining a phased programme to import 60,000 pregnant or lactating high-yield dairy cattle, beginning with an initial deployment of 2,500 cattle.
According to Jibrilu, the initiative is projected to generate approximately 229.5 million litres of milk annually upon full implementation, significantly increasing domestic milk production, enhancing ranch productivity, creating thousands of jobs and substantially reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products.
He explained that the PPP model seeks to establish a commercially viable and sustainable dairy production system capable of transforming Nigeria’s livestock industry while improving food security and economic resilience.
Jibrilu also requested the Ministry’s endorsement of the initiative, the establishment of a technical working group and the commencement of ranch readiness assessments to facilitate implementation.
The proposed partnership forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to modernise Nigeria’s livestock sector, promote food sovereignty, attract private investment and unlock the enormous economic potential embedded in the country’s dairy value chain.
