Kwara set to attract $150m into economy through local milk production
By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin
The Kwara State Government has intensified efforts to expand dairy production as Nigeria continues to spend more than $1.5 billion annually on milk imports.
The Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Oloruntoyosi Thomas, disclosed this on Wednesday during the 2026 Press Week organised by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kwara State Council.
Thomas said Nigeria consumes about 1.7 million metric tonnes of milk yearly but produces only about 600,000 metric tonnes locally, leaving a deficit of about 65 percent that is covered through imports.
She described the situation as a major economic opportunity for states willing to invest in dairy production and processing, noting that Kwara aims to produce 100,000 metric tonnes of milk.
According to her, the target could inject about $150 million into the state economy while reducing dependence on imported dairy products that continue to drain foreign reserves.
The commissioner said the state government is developing the dairy value chain under the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones and Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support projects.
She added that the state plans to process milk into products such as butter, cheese, condensed milk, cream, yoghurt, ice cream and powdered milk to meet growing local demand.
Thomas also said global dairy firms, including Danone/Fan Milk and FrieslandCampina, already operate milk collection centres in Kwara and are prepared to absorb increased local production.
