At the event, Promasidor Nigeria Limited reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the country's dairy value chain through sustainable local production, strategic investments, and partnerships aimed at boosting food security and economic development.
The celebration, held at the NAF Conference Centre, brought together policymakers, dairy farmers, industry leaders, researchers, development partners, media professionals, and private-sector operators under the theme: “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers – Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation.”
The gathering served as a platform for critical discussions on the future of dairy farming in Nigeria, highlighting the pivotal role women play in improving nutrition, supporting rural livelihoods, and driving sustainable growth within the sector.
Among the dignitaries present were the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment; state government officials; development partners; and key industry stakeholders.
A major highlight of the event was the unveiling of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework by the Minister of Livestock Development. The framework is designed to strengthen local milk production, expand dairy processing capacity, improve cold-chain infrastructure, enhance milk aggregation systems, and support pasture development across the country.
Speaking during the event, Minister Maiha praised Promasidor and other private-sector investors for their contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s dairy industry, noting that collaboration between government and businesses remains essential to achieving national dairy self-sufficiency.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Promasidor Nigeria, the company's Managing Director, Francois Gillet, described World Milk Day as an important opportunity to recognise the contributions of women dairy farmers to national development.
“World Milk Day is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women dairy farmers to food security, livelihoods, and improved nutrition across communities,” Gillet stated.
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development and other stakeholders for their efforts to transform the dairy sector and create a more sustainable future for local milk production.
Highlighting the company’s long-term investments in dairy development, Gillet pointed to the Ikun Dairy Farm in Ikun-Amure, Ekiti State, which is regarded as Nigeria’s largest dairy farm. According to him, the facility currently has more than 750 cattle and serves as a critical hub for local milk production and employment generation.
Beyond its production capacity, the farm has become a significant contributor to economic activity in the surrounding communities, indirectly creating employment opportunities for more than 1,000 people while supporting local value chains.
Promasidor’s Chief Technical Officer, Brighton Ochieng, further reinforced the company's vision during a high-level panel discussion focused on the future of dairy farming in Nigeria.
Ochieng stressed the importance of innovation and modern farming techniques in transforming the industry, emphasizing the role of improved genetics, advanced dairy management practices, and technology-driven solutions.
He noted that emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, could play a crucial role in increasing productivity, improving herd management, enhancing milk yields, and boosting the overall competitiveness of Nigeria’s dairy sector.
“Innovation, improved genetics, modern dairy management practices, and technology-driven solutions are essential for boosting productivity and enhancing the competitiveness of Nigeria’s dairy industry,” he said.
He also reaffirmed Promasidor’s readiness to continue working closely with government agencies, development partners, dairy farmers, and other stakeholders to strengthen local milk production and build a more resilient dairy value chain.
The World Milk Day celebration concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to increase domestic milk production, improve nutrition outcomes, empower women in agriculture, and strengthen public-private partnerships capable of accelerating growth across the sector.
For Promasidor, the event underscored its broader mission of providing quality nutrition to Nigerians while supporting sustainable dairy development initiatives that create jobs, empower communities, and contribute meaningfully to national food security and economic growth.