Nigeria has launched an ambitious plan to double its milk production from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes annually within five years, aiming to slash its $1.5 billion yearly dairy import bill, according to Livestock Minister Idi Maiha. Speaking on Monday, Maiha outlined the strategy, which includes importing high-yield dairy cattle from Denmark to bolster the country’s milk output. Despite having one of Africa’s largest cattle populations, exceeding 20.9 million, Nigeria’s largely pastoralist, low-yield breeds produce only 700,000 tonnes of milk annually against a national consumption of 1.6 million tonnes, leading to a 60% import dependency.

A Nigerian farm has already imported over 200 Danish heifers to build its herd through intensive breeding, Maiha revealed. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize Nigeria’s livestock sector. The country has registered eight new pasture species—the first in 48 years—and launched a national strategy for animal genetic resources with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). “With over 20.9 million cattle, 60 million sheep, and 1.4 million goats, we are not starting from zero, we are building from strength,” Maiha emphasized.

The push aligns with Nigeria’s broader economic goals to reduce reliance on imports and boost local agriculture. Web sources, including a Reuters report, confirm the import of Danish cattle as a step toward enhancing dairy productivity. Posts on X highlight Nigeria’s potential to leverage its vast livestock population, though some users noted challenges like infrastructure and farmer training that could hinder progress. The government’s focus on genetic improvement and pasture development aims to address these gaps, positioning Nigeria to meet its dairy demands domestically.

This initiative could transform Nigeria’s dairy industry, create jobs, and save billions in foreign exchange, but its success hinges on sustained investment and effective implementation.