Nestlé Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Livestock Development Partner to Establish Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre

Nestlé Nigeria Plc has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to establish a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, as part of efforts to strengthen technical capacity, improve milk quality, and enhance productivity within Nigeria’s dairy sector.

The Centre, to be located at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm, builds on the company’s ongoing Livestock Development Project (NLDP). It reflects a deliberate progression of interventions, from the launch of the Demonstration Farm in 2025 to the signing of a Letter of Intent on World Milk Day 2025. Together, these milestones signal the transition from pilot initiatives to full implementation and a more structured, scalable approach to skills development across the dairy value chain.

The collaboration will deliver structured training programmes and targeted interventions focused on:

• Strengthening on-farm practices across milk production, processing, hygiene, and farm management

• Developing industry-relevant technical skills in collaboration with key stakeholders

• Improving value chain coordination and milk quality outcomes across local dairy clusters

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said, “At Nestlé, we have been working over the years to strengthen the dairy value chain in Nigeria. What we have seen is clear, when capability improves, outcomes follow. This partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development allows us to expand the reach of our structured approach to building the skills required to improve productivity, enhance quality, and support long-term sustainability in the sector.”

He added that the company’s investment in dairy development has consistently focused on creating shared value for communities while supporting the growth of a resilient local supply base.

Since 2019, the Nestlé Livestock Development Project has been working with dairy communities in Nigeria to improve milk quality, increase productivity, and strengthen livelihoods. To date, the initiative has established 83 dairy cooperatives, benefiting over 3,000 milk producers and aggregating more than 1 million litres of raw milk. More than 2,000 pastoralists have been trained, over 36,744 cattle vaccinated, and key infrastructure introduced to support production.

Also speaking at the event, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, said: “Nigeria’s dairy sector holds significant potential, but unlocking it requires stronger technical capability across the value chain. This partnership represents a practical step towards improving productivity and quality, and I commend Nestlé Nigeria for their continued commitment and proven track record through the Nestlé Livestock Development Project, demonstrating what is possible when the right systems are in place. At the Ministry, we are committed to creating an enabling environment that supports investments such as this, ensuring that policy and partnerships work together to drive meaningful impact and build a more resilient and competitive dairy industry.”

The Minister noted that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Dairy Policy under the National Development Plan, which aims to catalyse growth in the livestock and dairy sectors while enhancing food security and economic opportunity.

Following the signing of the MoU, both parties will move into implementation, including finalizing the training framework, preparing the site at the Demonstration Farm, and commencing phased rollout of the programme in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

The Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre will provide a structured platform for training and capacity building, with a focus on developing mid-level technical skills that are critical to the long-term sustainability of the sector. The programme will be implemented in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure alignment with national standards and industry needs.

By scaling proven interventions and strengthening technical capability, the partnership contributes to building a more resilient dairy sector that supports livelihoods, strengthens local production, and advances national development.