By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Government has unveiled plans to import high-yield dairy cattle from Denmark as part of a broader initiative to cut down on the country’s $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill and double local milk production within five years.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, announced the initiative on Monday, stating that the move is central to the government’s strategy to achieve self-sufficiency in dairy production.
“Our goal is ambitious but achievable — to double Nigeria’s milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually in the next five years,” Maiha said.
He noted that Nigeria’s cattle population, currently exceeding 20 million, is dominated by low-yield pastoralist breeds with limited milk output. To address this, Maiha disclosed that a Nigerian farm has already taken the lead by importing over 200 heifers from Denmark and is expanding its herd through intensive breeding techniques.
In addition, the minister highlighted key developments in the livestock sector, including the registration of eight new pasture species — the first such registration in 48 years — and the launch of a national strategy for managing animal genetic resources, developed in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
“With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats already, we are not starting from zero — we are building from strength,” Maiha added.
Nigeria’s current milk production stands at approximately 700,000 tonnes annually, significantly below the national consumption rate of 1.6 million tonnes, resulting in heavy reliance on imports. The new initiative is expected to significantly bridge that gap and enhance food security.
