Nestlé, Federal Ministry Forge Partnership To Establish Dairy Skills Centre In Gwagwalada
By ROTAMediaNews
Nestlé Nigeria Plc and the newly established Federal Ministry of Livestock Development have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.
The agreement marks a major step toward strengthening technical capacity, improving raw milk quality, and boosting productivity across Nigeria’s dairy value chain.
The Centre will be housed at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm, building directly on the company’s ongoing Livestock Development Project (NLDP). The initiative follows a series of strategic milestones, including the farm’s launch in 2025 and a Letter of Intent signed on World Milk Day 2025. Together, these efforts signal a transition from pilot schemes to a fully structured, scalable model for skills development in the dairy sector.
Under the partnership, structured training programmes will focus on enhancing on-farm practices in milk production, processing, hygiene, and farm management. The initiative will also develop industry-relevant technical skills in collaboration with key stakeholders, while improving value chain coordination and milk quality across local dairy clusters.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Wassim Elhusseini, Managing Director and CEO of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, 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.”
Since 2019, the Nestlé Livestock Development Project has worked with dairy communities across Nigeria to improve milk quality, increase output, and strengthen livelihoods. To date, the project has established 83 dairy cooperatives, reaching over 3,000 milk producers and aggregating more than one million litres of raw milk. Over 2,000 pastoralists have been trained, more than 36,744 cattle vaccinated, and key infrastructure introduced to support local production.
The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, described the partnership as a practical step toward unlocking the sector’s potential.
“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. 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,” Maiha said.
He added that the Ministry is committed to creating an enabling environment for such investments, ensuring that policy and partnerships drive meaningful impact toward a more resilient and competitive dairy industry. The Minister also noted that the initiative aligns with 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 MoU signing, both parties will move into implementation. Next steps include finalising the training framework, preparing the Demonstration Farm site, and commencing a phased rollout of the programme in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre is expected to serve as a structured platform for training and capacity building, focusing on mid-level technical skills critical to the long-term sustainability of Nigeria’s dairy sector.
By scaling proven interventions and strengthening technical capability, the partnership contributes to building a more resilient dairy industry that supports livelihoods, strengthens local production, and advances national development.
