Local Milk Production Key To Dairy Sector Growth, Promasidor Says

Promasidor Nigeria Limited has reiterated that increased local milk production remains critical to the sustainable growth and transformation of Nigeria’s dairy industry, stressing the need for continued investments, innovation, and collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen the sector.

The company made this position known during the 2026 World Milk Day celebration held in Abuja, where key players across Nigeria’s dairy value chain gathered to discuss strategies for boosting local production, improving nutrition, and empowering dairy farmers.

The event, organised by the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development in partnership with the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) and development partners, was themed: “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers – Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation.”

The conference brought together policymakers, industry leaders, dairy farmers, researchers, development partners, private sector operators, and media practitioners to chart a path towards a more competitive and sustainable dairy industry.

Among dignitaries at the event were the minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the senior special assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; state government officials; development partners; and leading stakeholders in the dairy sector.

Speaking during the event, the managing director of Promasidor Nigeria Limited, Francois Gillet, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting local dairy development through strategic investments and sustainable production initiatives.

“It is a great honour to join you as we commemorate World Milk Day 2026 under the theme: ‘Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers – Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation.’ Today, we celebrate the vital contributions of women dairy farmers to food security, livelihoods, and improved nutrition across our communities,” Gillet said in a goodwill message delivered on behalf of the company.

He commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and other stakeholders working to reposition Nigeria’s dairy industry and enhance local milk production.

According to him, Promasidor remains committed to deepening investments that will reduce the country’s dependence on imported dairy products while creating jobs and strengthening rural economies.

“At Promasidor Nigeria, we remain committed to advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector through sustainable local production and investment in dairy development. We are proud to operate the largest dairy farm in Nigeria, the Ikun Dairy Farm in Ikun-Amure, Ekiti State, with over 750 cattle producing an average of 25 kilograms of milk daily, while indirectly employing over 1,000 people,” he noted.

The minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, acknowledged the contributions of Promasidor and other private sector operators to the growth of the dairy industry.

As part of efforts to accelerate development in the sector, the minister unveiled the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, designed to strengthen local milk production, improve dairy processing capacity, expand milk aggregation systems, develop cold-chain infrastructure, and enhance pasture development nationwide.

A major highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion featuring Promasidor’s chief technical officer, Brighton Ochieng, who shared insights on the company’s dairy operations and the role of technology in improving productivity.

Ochieng emphasised that innovation, improved genetics, modern dairy management practices, and technology-driven solutions, including artificial intelligence, will be essential to building a globally competitive dairy industry in Nigeria.

He also reaffirmed Promasidor’s readiness to collaborate with government agencies, development partners, and industry stakeholders to strengthen the country’s dairy value chain and increase local milk output.

Stakeholders at the event agreed that greater investment in local milk production, alongside stronger public-private partnerships, would be crucial to achieving national food security goals, improving nutrition, and creating sustainable livelihoods for dairy farmers, particularly women.

The World Milk Day celebration concluded with renewed commitments from industry players and policymakers to drive growth across the dairy value chain and promote fresh milk consumption as part of efforts to build a healthier nation.