Olufemi Johnson, the Operations Director, Manufacturing Industry in Canada, has shared his deep concerns over the state of Nigeria’s dairy industry.
In an interview on Channels Television, Johnson revealed that Nigeria produces just about 10% of its dairy consumption while the rest of it is imported.
He went on to clarify that what Nigerians commonly refer to as “milk” is actually not milk at all. “What we call milk in Nigeria is not milk; it is reconstituted creamers. These products are being marketed and sold as milk, but they don’t even qualify as milk. If you look at global health standards, you will find out that what we call milk here does not even come close to what the rest of the world considers milk.”
According to him, the global standard for milk, as defined by the World Health Organization, is that milk is not to be tampered with in a way that alters its fundamental properties, and this should be understood by both producers and consumers.
“The fact that we refer to creamers as milk in Nigeria is a misrepresentation, “These are not milk products, and the fact that they are being consumed as such is both illegal and harmful. If you travel around the world, when a doctor recommends milk for recovery, it is the real thing. But in Nigeria, we are giving people diluted products labeled as milk, which is very wrong.”
Johnson also highlighted Nigeria’s lack of infrastructure to support dairy production, stating that while there are small-scale producers, particularly in the north, the country does not have large dairy farms or a structured approach to production.
“There’s no policy to guide dairy farming in Nigeria. In countries like Canada, the US, and those in Europe, milk production is considered an essential service, with clear policies and infrastructure in place. But in Nigeria, we don’t have anything like that,” he said.
According to Johnson, this infrastructure gap is one of the major barriers to milk production in Nigeria. “Milk has to be kept cold from production all the way to consumption. That requires a sophisticated supply chain, which we simply do not have. While powdered milk can be produced, the goal should be to have fresh, liquid milk available to Nigerians. But that’s not happening right now,” he added
Johnson emphasized the importance of milk protein in the diets of children and the elderly. “Milk is the cheapest and most accessible source of protein for children. It is also crucial for the elderly to get calcium and nutrients,” he said. “But in Nigeria, we don’t have access to real milk, and that’s a public health issue.”
He called for a policy that promotes milk production and makes it affordable for everyone. “Milk should be treated like an essential service, like it is in other countries. In Canada, for example, there are regulations on the price of milk because it is considered essential,” Johnson said.
Despite the challenges, Johnson expressed hope for the future, pointing to the Nigerian government’s Dairy Policy 2023–2028, which aims to increase domestic milk production.
He also expressed confidence in foreign investment’s potential to transform the industry. “Foreign direct investment (FDI) is key to driving growth in this sector,” he said.
“We need to create an environment that encourages investment in dairy farming, processing, and distribution. And we need to start educating the population about the importance of real milk and how it can benefit their health.”