The Federal Government has intensified efforts to transform Nigeria’s dairy industry by exploring strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs) aimed at increasing domestic milk production, reducing the country’s estimated $1.5 billion annual dairy import bill and creating sustainable opportunities across the livestock value chain.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, disclosed this on Friday, July 10, 2026, while reviewing a proposal submitted by Hillview Ranch Enterprises Limited for a large-scale public-private partnership designed to accelerate local dairy production.
The Minister described dairy development as a key pillar of the Federal Government’s livestock transformation agenda, stressing that Nigeria possesses the natural resources, growing market land human capacity needed to build a globally competitive dairy industry.
Maiha noted that the country’s continued dependence on imported dairy products is unsustainable and underscored the need to increase local production through strategic investments and modern livestock management practices.
According to him, the government’s objective goes beyond importing dairy cattle to establishing a sustainable industry that improves livestock genetics, increases milk production, creates employment, empowers livestock farmers and strengthens the nation’s economy.
He explained that expanding local milk production would retain more economic value within the country while creating opportunities for dairy farmers, milk processors, transporters, veterinary service providers, feed producers and other participants across the livestock value chain.
The Minister, however, emphasised that any large-scale dairy investment must be guided by sound technical planning, sustainable financing arrangements and internationally recognised public-private partnership frameworks to ensure long-term viability and value for public investment.
To achieve this, Maiha directed that the proposal be refined in collaboration with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and other relevant stakeholders. He said the partnership framework would undergo comprehensive technical evaluation to ensure that the project meets national standards and delivers measurable economic benefits.
He stressed that large-scale interventions require careful planning, effective collaboration and transparent implementation frameworks, adding that the government remains committed to ensuring that every investment in the livestock sector produces tangible benefits for Nigerians.
Presenting the proposal, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hillview Ranch Enterprises Limited, Mr. Ladan Jibrilu, outlined the company’s plan to establish a public-private partnership framework that would accelerate the development of Nigeria’s dairy industry.
According to Jibrilu, the initiative proposes the phased importation of 60,000 pregnant or lactating high-yield dairy cattle, beginning with a pilot phase involving 2,500 cattle.
He explained that when fully implemented, the project is expected to produce approximately 229.5 million litres of milk annually, significantly increasing domestic milk production, reducing dependence on imported dairy products, improving ranch productivity and creating thousands of jobs across the dairy value chain.
Jibrilu added that the initiative is designed to establish a commercially viable and sustainable dairy production system capable of meeting the growing demand for milk and dairy products while strengthening Nigeria’s food security and economic development.
The company also requested the Ministry’s endorsement of the proposal, the establishment of a technical working group and the commencement of ranch readiness assessments to pave the way for the successful implementation of the initiative.
The proposed partnership is expected to support the Federal Government’s broader agenda of modernising the livestock sector, enhancing food security, attracting private investment and positioning Nigeria as a leading dairy producer in Africa.
