Federal Govt Targets 37,000 Women, Youths In Dairy Sector Initiative

The federal government has announced plans to empower 37,000 women and youths under a new livestock initiative as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s dairy industry and increase local milk production.

Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this during the 2026 World Milk Day press briefing after a road walk in Abuja yesterday.

Represented by his senior special assistant, Prof. Eustace Iyayi, the minister said the government was strengthening gender-responsive policies and expanding opportunities for women and young people across the dairy value chain.

He said the proposed Women and Youth in Livestock Empowerment Initiative would focus on dairy production, processing, marketing and agribusiness opportunities.

Maiha said the initiative, currently undergoing stakeholder consultations, would provide beneficiaries with skills development, enterprise support, access to finance, technology transfer and market integration opportunities.

He also disclosed that the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, expected to be unveiled on June 1, would provide a road map for implementing Nigeria’s dairy policy objectives.

According to him, investments under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS) are being intensified in feed development, animal health services, dairy hubs, milk aggregation centres, cold chain infrastructure and climate-smart livestock systems.

Speaking earlier, permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Chinyere Ijeoma Akujobi, represented by director of Ruminant and Monogastric Development, Victor Egbon, said this year’s World Milk Day theme, “Celebrating Women Farmers,” recognised the contributions of women to dairy production, food security and rural livelihoods.

Stakeholders from government agencies, development partners and private sector organisations attended the event.