Nigeria Bets on Danish Super Cows to Curb $1.5 Billion Milk Import Bill

iNewsAfrica | Lagos Bureau | June 6, 2025

Nigeria has begun importing high-yield dairy cows from Denmark in a bold move to slash its ballooning $1.5 billion annual milk import bill and revive local dairy production.

• Nigeria imports over 60% of its milk, costing $1.5 billion yearly.

• Over 200 Danish dairy cows have been brought in to boost local milk output.

• The government aims to double milk production from 700,000 to 1.4 million tonnes.

• The initiative includes pasture development and animal genetic improvement programs.

Lagos, Nigeria – In a decisive effort to curb Nigeria’s heavy reliance on milk imports, the federal government has launched a nationwide dairy upgrade campaign, starting with the importation of over 200 high-yield dairy cows from Denmark.

The imported heifers, famed for their superior milk output, are part of a broader plan to double Nigeria’s domestic milk production to 1.4 million tonnes annually over the next five years. The move is expected to significantly reduce the country’s current import bill of $1.5 billion, which covers more than 60% of national dairy demand.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, confirmed that the initiative is backed by the introduction of eight new pasture species—the first such registration in nearly 50 years. This, he said, is aimed at boosting feed quality and improving local livestock yields.

“By investing in animal genetics, feedstock, and commercial dairy infrastructure, Nigeria is laying the foundation for dairy self-sufficiency,” said Kyari, noting that the government is also collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to implement a national animal genetic resources strategy.

The imported cows will be settled on select farms with facilities to maintain cold chains and provide veterinary support. Analysts believe this could stimulate local job creation, enhance rural economies, and reduce the pressure on foreign exchange.

Dairy experts laud the move as a step towards modernizing Nigeria’s traditional livestock sector, which, despite having over 20 million cattle, struggles with poor milk yield due to outdated pastoral systems and inadequate nutrition.

If successful, the program could make Nigeria a model for agricultural transformation in West Africa, combining innovation, international partnerships, and domestic policy reforms to ensure food security and economic sustainability.