By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

In preparation for the rising demands for dairy and other animal-sourced foods in Nigeria and West Africa as a whole, the federal government said it has set machinery in motion to reverse decades of underperformance in the sector with the right policies, investments, and partnerships.

Co-Chair of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee, PLRIC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, who gave the assurance on Thursday in Abuja, declared that the challenges of sufficient domestic production like weak feed and pasture systems, low breed productivity, farmer–herder conflicts, climate pressures, inadequate financing, and limited adoption of modern technologies, are surmountable.

Speaking at the 2025 Friesland Campina WAMCO CNDDD Annual Dairy Development Webinar, Jega, who was represented by the Director, Dairy Research and Development Centre, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Bauchi and Member, PLRIC, Prof. Demo Kalla, said the present administration was committed to transform Nigeria’s dairy sector through coordinated reforms and strategic partnerships, adding that the recently validated National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework was a major step forward to providing a long-term roadmap for boosting the dairy ecosystem.

He, however, called for decisive action to build a productive and sustainable dairy value chain that would match the country’s population growth and going by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, FAO’s data that dairy consumption in West Africa could rise by more than 500% by 2050.

“With the right policies, investments, and partnerships, Nigeria can reverse decades of underperformance,” he said, insisting that the challenges of insufficient production are not insurmountable.

Jega outlined four strategic pillars for achieving dairy self-sufficiency as productivity through better pastures, genetics, and veterinary services; sustainability via climate-smart practices and renewable energy; innovation through digital tools for traceability, disease surveillance, and market integration; and partnerships to foster collaboration among government, industry, academia, and development partners.

According to him, the two landmark initiatives by President Bola Tinubu’s administration: the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to drive systemic reforms, and the creation of PLRIC to ensure strategic coordination across ministries, states, and stakeholders would help the country to achieve the feat.

“Private-sector investment is already growing, with companies such as FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Arla Foods, Danone, L&Z, and Sebore Farms expanding milk collection, farmer training, and backward integration. Development partners, including DDP, ALDDN, GIZ, and the EU-VACE TARED programme, were recognized for supporting capacity building, climate-smart research, and value-chain improvements,” he noted.

He, therefore, stressed the need for coordinated national action over isolated interventions, calling for modern production clusters, cold-chain expansion, cooperative models, stronger regulatory systems, and the proposed Dairy Academy for human capital development.

Jega added that the National Dairy Policy provides a clear framework to drive public–private investment toward milk self-sufficiency, higher productivity, and a globally competitive Nigerian dairy sector.

“Our vision is to build a dairy industry that delivers affordable nutrition, transforms small holders into prosperous producers, and ensures no child suffers stunting because milk is too costly or unavailable.

“With our population, market, natural resources, and expertise, Nigeria can become a leading dairy producer in Africa and a pillar of national development and economic transformation,” he concluded.

In his personal remarks, Kalla said the National Dairy Policy provides a clear framework to drive public–private investment toward milk self-sufficiency, higher productivity, and a globally competitive Nigerian dairy sector.

He explained that having been developed through extensive stakeholder engagement with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security; Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and industry partners, the policy charts a roadmap to transform the sector from low-productivity operations to modern, technology-enabled, commercially viable enterprises.

Kalla added that with stakeholders validation of its implementation framework, the government is poised to create an enabling environment that fosters innovation-driven value chains and empowers small holders and private investors.

He listed key opportunities to include expanding domestic milk production, strengthening cold chain and logistics, mobilizing technology, driving backward integration by processors, creating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing imports.

The policy, he said also addresses major challenges such as poor husbandry, low feed quality, high disease burdens, weak animal health systems, climate change pressures, inadequate grazing and water resources, poor infrastructure, and limited access to finance with weak value-chain coordination.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola says there is need to address several operational and policy gaps to fully harness the nation’s marine and coastal resources to achieve sustainable blue economy.

He stated this in Yenagoa at the opening of the first Annual International Conference and Trade Exhibition on Marine and Blue Economy organized by the Institute of Maritime Studies, Niger Delta University, Amassoma.

The theme of the Conference is ‘Sustainable Blue Economy: Advancing Safety, Economic and Social Resilience in the Coastal ecosystem’.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola noted that globally, the Blue Economy is estimated at over $2.5 trillion annually, yet Africa contributes less than 5% with Nigeria’s share minimal due to insufficient strategies and sustainable frameworks.

The Minister who was represented the Director, Marine Conservation, Innovation and Technology in the Ministry, Alhaji Hussaini Shettima expressed the readiness of the Federal government to change the situation by aligning policies and operations with international best practices while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

He said some of these challenges include tackling the infrastructure and technological deficits by upgrading ports, jetties and coastal facilities, improve maritime and security governance, address environmental degradation and fill the skills and human capacity gaps.

Bayelsa State Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Faith Zibs-Godwin whose message was delivered by the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Olali Jonjon said the Conference comes at a defining moment as nations turn to Blue Economy for sustainable development, giving an assurance that the State government would accord priority to tapping the huge potential in the sector.

Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Professor Allen Agih in an address of welcome, emphasized the need to explore and tap the vast marine and ocean resources available to the country.

President of the Coalition of South-South Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, COSSCCIMA, Mr. Indutimi Komonibo who chaired the occasion said the world and Africa were moving towards the Blue Economy and Nigeria could not afford to be left behind to deliver prosperity to citizens.

The event which had goodwill messages from NIMASA and the Nigerian Shippers Council also featured technical sessions, panel discussions. Drama and cultural display, free medical checks and unveiling of the Book ‘ Blue Hustle’ authored by Ambassador Fidelis Onu.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

The People of Kalabari in Asari-Toru Local Government of Rivers State, have called on lovers of Culture and Tradition to find their way to the Community, as they celebrate their New Year Festival.

A statement on Monday by the 2025 new Year Festival Organizing Committee which was signed by the Publicity Person, Ibiba DonPedro, read that the celebration will be starting on 12th of November, 2025.

The statement maintained that the festival will be rounding off on the 16th of November, 2025.

The organizers stated that the celebration known as Heritage of the Old, Culture of New, will start with an Art Exhibition at Moriri Gallery of Contemporary Arts on the 12th of November, by 8am.

The committee stated that activity will be used to showcase Kalabari Culture in Colours, Art, Sculpture and Creativity, that will tell Kalabari’s story will be witnessed.

The statement continued that the Art Exhibition, will be followed by the main event which will take place on the 16th of November starting with a Boat Regather that wail terminate at Elem Kalabari the venue of the grand finale.

The committee also disclosed that the weeklong event will witness Royal Blessing which will be performed by the Amanyanabo of Kalabari and other Kings and Chiefs.

“There will also be Masquerade display, Dance, Boat regatta,
spectacle and Pageantry, Iria dance display among other activities.

“Also there will be Award giving to honour distinguished Kalabari Sons and Daughters, home coming, reconnecting with roots through sacred vows and unity, Painting, unveiling the Kalabari Blue Carbon Investment Initiative among others.

“There will also be Tree planting and a Communique.” The statement read.