The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening strategic partnerships with private sector operators to accelerate dairy breed improvement, increase local milk production, and transform Nigeria’s livestock sector.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, gave the assurance during a meeting with the management of Integrated Dairies Limited (IDL), where discussions centred on expanding dairy breeding programmes, supporting pastoral livelihoods, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy genetics.
The IDL management, while appreciating the Minister’s earlier visit to its facilities, presented the company’s expansion plans and requested additional land to scale up its operations.
The company highlighted its contributions across the dairy value chain, including fodder production, milk collection and aggregation, processing, farmer support, animal health, and breed improvement through collaborations with national and international partners.
According to the company, its breeding programme has recorded significant milestones, including the production of high-performing F1 dairy breeds with improved milk yields, increased conception rates, and enhanced productivity. IDL noted that the expansion would facilitate the establishment of breeding hubs, accelerate the multiplication and dissemination of improved dairy breeds, create employment opportunities, build technical capacity, and improve the livelihoods of pastoral communities.
The meeting also reviewed proposals for strengthening Artificial Insemination (AI), Embryo Transfer (ET), genetic dissemination programmes, and the establishment of world-class breeding and research centres to serve Nigeria’s livestock industry. Stakeholders commended IDL’s public-private partnership model and its sustained investment in dairy development over the past two decades.
Speaking during the meeting, the Minister described Integrated Dairies Limited as one of Nigeria’s leading indigenous dairy enterprises, commending its commitment to corporate social responsibility, livestock genetics, milk aggregation, and pastoral community development.
He stated that , the Federal Government considers the development of improved breeding systems a critical component of the livestock transformation agenda and stressed that initiatives such as the Wase Grazing Reserve would provide a strategic platform for scaling improved dairy production while promoting peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farming communities.
The Minister further emphasised the importance of community engagement, capacity building, and the adoption of sustainable business models that integrate pastoralists into modern livestock production systems.
He noted that , successful dairy transformation requires collaboration among government, the private sector, research institutions, and local communities.
Maiha also called for the development of practical models that would improve access to quality genetics, feed resources, animal health services, and breeding technologies across the country, while assuring the delegation that the Ministry would explore areas of collaboration to support the company’s expansion plans in line with the Federal Government’s livestock development priorities.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to deepen collaboration in advancing dairy genetics, improving national milk production, strengthening food security, creating jobs, and positioning Nigeria as a leading dairy producer in Africa.
Henrietta Okokon
Deputy Director Information and Public Relations Department
30/7/26
