General
Nigeria Can’t Meet Annual Consumption of 1.6 billion Litres of Milk—VP
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria has inaugurated the National Dairy Policy to catalyse development in the livestock and dairy sectors to meet the annual consumption of 1.6 billion litres of milk.
The policy, unveiled on Tuesday in Abuja by the Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, aims to achieve sustainable diversification of the national economy, a key objective of its National Development Plan (2021-2025) and cut down on Nigeria’s import dependency.
The document was designed to serve as a roadmap for energising the dairy industry over the coming years following consultations and engagements with key stakeholders who shared the vision of a productive and globally competitive dairy sector in Nigeria.
While unveiling the document, Mr Shettima said milk was not a staple but a cornerstone of Nigeria’s nutritional security and economic development, noting that the theme of the 2024 Milk Day, Harnessing the Nutrition and Investment Opportunities in a Sustainable Dairy Value Chain, was particularly significant.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Agribusiness, Mr Kingsley Uzoma, the VP said since its inception, the benefits of milk and dairy products had been actively promoted worldwide, highlighting how dairy supported the livelihoods of one billion people.
“Dairy is an accessible, affordable, and nutrient-dense food, essential for balanced diets across the world. Billions of people consume milk and dairy products daily, not only as a vital source of nutrition but also as a means of livelihood for farmers, processors, shopkeepers, and other stakeholders in the dairy value chain.
“It is our collective responsibility to ensure that consumers, industry and governments have up-to-date information on how milk and dairy products contribute to human nutrition.
“Also how dairy-industry development can best increase food security and alleviate poverty in Nigeria,” he submitted.
Mr Shettima said dairy farming presented significant opportunities for economic development and youth employment.
“However, these opportunities do not come without challenges. Our livestock farmers often face issues such as inadequate feed for their animals, conflicts over grazing lands, and the adverse effects of climate change.”
He said that these challenges were compounded by violent conflicts between farmers and cattle herdsmen over land use.
“A situation exacerbated by increasing droughts and the pressing need for sustainable solutions. Recognising these challenges, the Federal Government is launching the National Dairy Policy intending to transform the dairy industry in Nigeria,” the country’s number two citizen stated.
Mr Shettima said the policy would address key obstacles such as the lack of modern global best practices for cross-breeding and calving, high costs of milk and poor transportation infrastructure among others.
“Currently, Nigeria spends $1.5 billion annually on importing dairy products due to a production deficit. Nigerians consume an average of 1.6 billion litres of milk and its products but domestic production is insufficient to meet this demand.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is determined to achieve national production security, with the longer term goal of eventually exporting dairy products to other African countries under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).”
He said that implementation of the policy would ensure improved dairy farming practices, increased investment in dairy processing and preservation, evidence-based policy implementation, and enhanced collaboration.
Mr Shettima said that it would also enable ease of business for the dairy industry, fostering public-private partnerships, embracing technology and innovation, and empowering women-friendly and youth-centric business models.
“Its implementation will promote good animal health practices, and monitoring and evaluating progress,” he said.
On his part, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Aliyu Abdullahi, said that the national dairy policy was in line with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reposition the livestock sector.
He said that the document would create an enabling and supportive environment for growth in the dairy sector, adding that there was potential in the dairy industry.
He noted that with consistency and steadfastness to the policy’s implementation, Nigeria would before long become self-sufficient in milk and dairy products.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
In order to aid alternative and sustainable means of livelihood amid rising food prices and growing concerns over food security in Nigeria, the Ibese Plant of Dangote Cement Plc has handed over a state-of-the-art garri and fufu processing plant to the Kajola host community in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State.
The facility is expected to support cassava farmers and processors by improving efficiency and expanding income-generating opportunities.
According to the organisation, the project, delivered under the Community Development Agreement (CDA) with its host communities signed in 2022, is a strategic intervention aimed at boosting agricultural value addition, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening livelihoods for rural farmers and women.
The Ibese Plant Director, Mr Ayyagari Subbaraidu, at the commissioning, said, “This project is aimed at improving cassava processing, reducing losses and creating sustainable employment for women and farmers in the community.”
He disclosed that the facility features separate garri and fufu processing units equipped with modern machinery, including a five-tonne-per-day peeling machine, hydraulic presses, frying systems, fermentation basins, solar-powered boreholes and sanitation infrastructure, adding that it will serve as a catalyst for local economic growth by enhancing productivity and supporting small-scale agribusinesses across Kajola and neighbouring communities.
The Plant Director also urged the community and the Project Governance Committee to maintain transparency in the management of the facility to ensure long-term sustainability.
The Ogun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owotomo, who was at the unveiling of the project, said it aligns with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s vision of making agriculture a key driver of economic growth through value addition and enterprise development.
The Commissioner disclosed that “over 166,000 farmers, including more than 90,000 cassava farmers, have been registered under the Ogun State Farmers Information Management System (OGFIMS) to benefit from government interventions.”
He urged the community to safeguard the facility and assured residents of the continued support of the state government towards agricultural development and food security.
“This processing plant will strengthen the cassava value chain, improve product quality, create jobs and enhance food security while boosting farmers’ incomes,” the Commissioner stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has hailed the recent sanctioning of three Nigerian bureau de change (BDC) operators by the United States’ Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) for alleged terrorism financing.
“The Nigeria Sanctions Committee welcomes the recent inclusion of Mukthar Muhammad Adamu, Nine to Nine BDC, and Generation BDC Limited by the United States Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).
“These designations follow the inclusion of Adamu and his companies as part of a broader update to the Nigeria Sanctions List approved and published on 18th June 2026,” it disclosed in a statement.
It said that the naming of the three companies and six people followed extensive intelligence gathering, financial investigations, and inter-agency assessments, which established reasonable grounds to believe that the affected individuals and entities facilitated, financed, supported, or otherwise contributed to the activities of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and associated terrorist networks.
“The individuals and entities added to the Nigeria Sanctions List on 18th June 2026 are Ibrahim Yakubu Ogirima (NLISWi.19), Muktar Muhammad Adamu (NLISWi.20), Adamu Chiroma (NLISWi.21), Ibrahim Abubakar (NLISWi.22), Abdullahi Umar Usman (NLISWi.23), Babangida Muhammed Adamu Hammajam (NLISWi.24), Abbal Bako & Sons Bureau De Change Limited (NLISWe.25), Generation Currency BDC Limited (NLISWe.26), Nine to Nine BDC Limited (NLISWe.27),” the statement read in part.
The federal government reiterated its directive to all financial institutions and designated non-financial businesses and professions to continue to comply with all sanctions obligations, including asset-freezing requirements, the filing of suspicious transaction reports, and the reporting of all relevant matches to the appropriate authorities.
The sanctions committee commended the work of the Federal Ministry of Justice, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Department of State Services, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit for their actions to ensure that terrorist groups are denied the resources that sustain their activities.
It stated that Nigeria remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring that terrorists and their financiers find no safe haven within the country’s financial system.
The committee also said that the Federal Government would continue to work closely with domestic stakeholders and international partners to protect national security, strengthen financial integrity, and contribute to global efforts to combat terrorism and its financing.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
A radio station, Wise FM, has been sealed by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA).
The premises of the broadcast media platform, located on Ogabi Street, Meiran, Ile-Iwe Bus Stop, were shut by the state government on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, alongside other establishments across different parts of Lagos State for alleged persistent violations of environmental regulations despite repeated warnings, abatement notices, and opportunities provided for compliance.
In a statement by LASEPA, it was disclosed that the enforcement exercise was carried out in response to various environmental infractions, including noise pollution, air pollution, obstruction of official duties, and failure to comply with its directives.
As regards Wise FM, it was said that it was sealed for noise and air pollution as well as non-compliance with the Agency’s directives.
Another organisation affected, Star-View Terrace, located in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, was shut down for noise pollution and non-compliance with the agency’s directives, while Premiership Suites, located at Akin Osiyemi Street, Off Allen Avenue, Ikeja, was sealed for non-compliance with the agency’s directives.
Speaking on the enforcement operation, the General Manager of LASEPA, Mr Babatunde Ajayi, reiterated the organisation’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding public health and ensuring a cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environment across Lagos State.
He stressed that both individuals and corporate organisations have a responsibility to comply with environmental laws and regulations, stressing that environmental protection remains a collective duty that requires the cooperation of all stakeholders.
The LASEPA boss warned that the agency would continue to intensify enforcement actions against violators in order to curb environmental nuisances and protect residents from the harmful effects of pollution.
Mr Ajayi urged residents, business owners, and operators of commercial establishments to adopt environmentally responsible practices and cooperate with regulatory authorities in promoting a healthier, cleaner, and more livable Lagos.
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