Nestlé Nigeria has announced an investment of over ₦1.8 billion in dairy development, significantly improving the livelihoods of pastoralists in the Paikon Kore Grazing Reserve, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the launch of the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm in Paikon Kore, Abuja, the Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, reiterated the company’s long-term vision of achieving a daily milk production target of 30,000 litres by November 2027.
He noted that this initiative would strengthen Nigeria’s dairy industry and contribute to national food security.
The project, implemented through the Nestlé Livestock Development Project (NLDP) in collaboration with 2Scale and CBI Innovations Limited, is backed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Elhusseini highlighted that the initiative has already led to increased milk production and improved household incomes for local dairy farmers.
He said in 2019, Nestle Nigeria partnered with the International Fertilizer Development Centre (IFDC) and CBI Innovations Limited to create the project to support the development of dairy value chain in the country and to improve the livelihoods of pastoralists within the Paikon Kore grazing reserve.
According to him, the NLDP which is structured around three pillars: Better milk, better feed (fodder) and resilient communities has invested over N1.8 billion and currently aggregates an average of 6,000 litres of fresh milk per day from 1,600 dairy households.
He said: “The project has transformed the dairy sector, with milk producers experiencing a nearly fourfold increase in household income, rising from ₦70,000 to ₦250,000 between 2021 and 2024. This growth is attributed to improved dairy practices, enhanced infrastructure, and better access to resources.
“Daily milk collection increased from an initial 200 liters in June 2021 to an average of 6,000 liters per day at the Milk Collection and Cooling Centre, aggregating over 1 million liters of raw milk to date. This success benefits approximately 3,000 milk producers who are part of the 83 dairy cooperatives established under the NLDP.”
On his part, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, noted Nestlé’s investment aligns seamlessly with the national agenda for livestock development.
He added that the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development is fully committed to creating an enabling environment for investments like this to thrive.
He however reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting such initiatives through policies that improve infrastructure, access to finance, and veterinary services.
Meanwhile, CEO of CBI Innovations Limited, Mr. Soji Apampa, described the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm as more than just a project as it is a catalyst for sustainable change in the industry.
He expressed optimism that the farm would serve as a model of excellence, promoting sustainability, animal welfare, and community well-being.
“We envision a future where this dairy farm serves as a model of excellence and an inspiration for others in the industry. We will continue to innovate, learn, and grow, always maintaining an unwavering focus on quality, sustainability, and community,” he said.
