Abuja: Prof. Attahiru Jega, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Livestock Development, stated that the Federal Government remains committed to modernising Nigeria’s dairy industry. He made this announcement in Abuja at the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework Validation Workshop.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop was organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and development partners. Jega, represented by Prof. Demo Kalla, Director of the Dairy Research and Development Centre at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, emphasised the need for an increased focus on the dairy sector to boost national development. He highlighted that the policy is anchored on 11 strategic pillars and forms a key part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for economic transformation.
Jega elaborated that the policy aims to transform the livestock and dairy sector into a driver of food security and job creation. He pointed out that the dairy industry encompasses livelihoods, nutrition, empowerment, and opportunity. He also commended stakeholders for refining the framework, describing it as crucial to building a sustainable and inclusive dairy economy.
He noted that institutional reform remains central to success, including plans for a National Dairy Development and Milk Marketing Board. He emphasised the importance of strong public-private partnerships, where the government provides support while the private sector drives growth. Jega suggested that Nigeria could learn from countries like India, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Ethiopia, which have achieved progress through clear institutional mandates.
Jega urged stakeholders to adopt data-driven policies, foster import substitution, and promote local value addition in dairy production. He also stressed the need for a robust market surveillance and quality assurance system to curb substandard imports and protect the dairy value chain.
He called for closer cooperation among universities, research bodies, and industry players to drive innovation and technology transfer and advocated joining the International Dairy Federation to enhance capacity and global competitiveness. ‘Ultimately, this policy is about people, creating jobs and building a sustainable livestock economy for all Nigerians,’ he concluded.