Stakeholders Seek Sustainable Solutions To Advance Nigeria’s Dairy Sector

The Centre for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development (CNDDD) in collaboration with FrieslandCampina WAMCO and other stakeholders to explore sustainable solutions for advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector.

CNDDD hosted its first webinar themed ‘Transforming the Nigerian Dairy Sector through Innovation and Collaboration’, bringing together policymakers, academics, industry leaders, and development partners.

Speaking, the minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, stated the importance of sustainability in the dairy sector.

He said, “to transform the dairy industry, sustainability must be at the forefront of our effort. Sustainable practices such as rotational grazing, backward integration and practices of climate resilience will ensure that the industry remains viable even as the effect of climate change becomes very pronounced.”

The chairman of the Board of Trustees CNDDD and managing director at FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Roger Adou reiterated the company’s dedication to promoting sustainable growth in Nigeria’s dairy sector.

“For over 50 years, FC WAMCO has been on the journey of backward integration, leveraging innovation and collaboration to create lasting impact for smallholder farmers and position Nigeria as a leader in sustainable dairy production,” he said.

The Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Nigeria, Michel Deleen, immediate past Ambassador of Nigeria to the Kingdom of Netherlands, Ambassador, Dr. Eniola Ajayi, and the director-general of National Office for Technology Acquisition and Promotion (NOTAP), Dr. Barr Obiageli Amadiobi commended the CNDDD partners for the purpose of dairy development in Nigeria.

The panel discussions focused on innovative practices such as the introduction of the Girolando crossbreed, advanced breeding techniques, hybrid seed development for pasture, and the Value4Dairy project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

These innovations attest to FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s commitment to making quality dairy nutrition affordable and accessible by ‘Doing Dairy Right from grass to glass’. Panelists, including representatives from Bowen University, the University of Abuja, Van Hall Larenstein University and Federal Ministry of Livestock Development emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving productivity, sustainability, and farmer empowerment.

The webinar emphasised the vital role of stakeholder engagement and research-driven solutions in overcoming challenges in the dairy value chain. It also featured testimonials from students supported by CNDDD sponsorship programs, showcasing the initiative’s impact on capacity building and knowledge development.

The CNDDD, a joint initiative of FrieslandCampina WAMCO and its Dutch-Nigerian partners, remains dedicated to empowering Nigeria’s dairy industry through cutting-edge research, capacity building, and innovative practices.