Nestlé Nigeria has officially partnered with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to launch a dairy technical skills development programme aimed at transforming the dairy sector in Nigeria.
The collaboration was formalised through a letter of intent (LOI) signed on World Milk Day 2025, highlighting a shared commitment to boosting milk production, improving quality and building sustainable livelihoods in the country.
The new initiative seeks to develop mid-level technical and vocational skills critical for strengthening Nigeria’s dairy value chain. By enhancing skills related to milk production, processing, hygiene and management, the programme aims to address the sector’s challenges while supporting national goals for food security and nutrition.
The partnership will focus on establishing capacity-building programmes and developing training modules tailored to industry needs, with input from a broad range of stakeholders. A key objective is to improve milk quality and productivity across local dairy clusters through knowledge sharing and technical support, fostering a more robust and competitive dairy industry.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the managing director of Nestlé Nigeria PLC, Wassim Elhusseini emphasised the company’s experience and commitment to local capacity building. “Nestlé’s global dairy expertise, combined with tailored training programs for Nigerian dairy farmers, positions us to bridge the skills gap in this sector. This Letter of Intent represents more than a formal agreement; it reflects our joint dedication to empowering farmers, creating jobs and driving economic growth through a stronger dairy industry,” Elhusseini said.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Maiha echoed these sentiments, noting the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the dairy value chain under the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).
“Since establishing the Ministry, we have prioritised livestock value chain development and improving feed and fodder supply. Our collaboration with Nestlé will culminate in the commissioning of a dairy training centre at Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, which will serve as a hub for building mid-level technical manpower and training farmers in modern dairy practices to boost productivity,” Maiha stated.
Nestlé Nigeria’s involvement in the dairy sector dates back to 2019 with the launch of the Dairy Development Project (NLDP). Since then, the project has established 83 dairy cooperatives benefiting over 3,000 milk producers and has aggregated more than one million litres of raw milk. The company has trained more than 2,000 milk producers on best practices, vaccinated over 36,700 cattle, and improved water access by constructing 19 boreholes and 28 water troughs for farmers.
These efforts have yielded tangible results. Milk quality has improved substantially, with rejection rates dropping from 12 percent in 2021 to just 5 per cent in 2024. At the same time, monthly income for milk producers has risen from ₦70,000 in 2019 to ₦250,000 in 2024, reflecting the economic benefits of enhanced productivity and quality.
A key highlight of Nestlé’s work is the dairy demonstration farm, which showcases how improved farming techniques can increase milk production from local breeds, from an average of one litre per cow per day to over 10 litres. Following the farm’s launch, the minister invited Nestlé to convert it into a training institute, an opportunity the company eagerly embraced, leading to today’s signing of the LOI.
By investing in technical skills development and capacity building, Nestlé and the ministry are jointly supporting a sustainable, vibrant dairy industry that contributes to Nigeria’s food security, economic empowerment and rural transformation.
