The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, has said that Nigeria currently produces only about 0.7 billion litres of milk annually, far below the level required to meet the nutritional needs of the population.
He explained, “Our average per capita consumption of 8.7 litres of milk per year is not only well below the global average but is also alarmingly lower than the World Health Organization’s recommended intake of 210 litres per person annually.”
Speaking during the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF’s silver jubilee celebrations in Kaduna on Thursday, the minister highlighted the productivity gap at the farm level.
“The average milk yield of our indigenous cows is only 0.5 to 1.5 litres per day, compared to the global average of 6.6 litres. Furthermore, the country spends over $1.5 billion annually importing milk and dairy products, despite having millions of cattle and capable producers. This is a paradox that we must correct,” he said.
Maiha emphasised the crucial role of livestock value chains in Nigeria, noting that livestock provide food and nutrition while also serving as banks, insurance, and livelihoods for the majority of people in the north and across the country.
He said, “Men are known to keep cattle while women raise poultry and small ruminants. The percentages of livestock rearing amongst households in Nigeria are as follows: poultry-98%, goats-86%, sheep-46%, cattle-33%, and pigs-7.3%.”
According to the minister, the Federal Government has approved the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, NLGAS, a five-year plan (2025–2030) aimed at transforming the livestock sector from a $32 billion to a $74 billion economy. He stressed that the NLGAS, which has ten pillars, envisions growth through increased productivity per animal and higher population numbers. He subsequently called on all states to embrace the NLGAS for the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
Maiha emphasised the crucial role of livestock value chains in Nigeria, noting that livestock provide food and nutrition while also serving as banks, insurance, and livelihoods for the majority of people in the north and across the country.
He said, “Men are known to keep cattle while women raise poultry and small ruminants. The percentages of livestock rearing amongst households in Nigeria are as follows: poultry-98%, goats-86%, sheep-46%, cattle-33%, and pigs-7.3%.”
According to the minister, the Federal Government has approved the National Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy, NLGAS, a five-year plan (2025–2030) aimed at transforming the livestock sector from a $32 billion to a $74 billion economy. He stressed that the NLGAS, which has ten pillars, envisions growth through increased productivity per animal and higher population numbers. He subsequently called on all states to embrace the NLGAS for the rapid transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector.
