Nestlé Nigeria partners FG on dairy skills development centre
Nestlé Nigeria Plc has entered into a strategic partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to establish a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, in a move aimed at strengthening technical capacity and enhancing productivity within Nigeria’s dairy sector.
The agreement, formalised through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, underscores a shared commitment to improving milk quality and building a more resilient dairy value chain through structured skills development and targeted interventions.
The proposed centre will be situated at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm and is designed to build on the company’s ongoing Nestlé Livestock Development Project, reflecting a steady progression from pilot initiatives to full-scale implementation.
Industry observers note that the initiative represents a transition from earlier interventions, including the launch of the Demonstration Farm in 2025 and the signing of a Letter of Intent on World Milk Day 2025, towards a more structured and scalable framework for capacity development.
Through the collaboration, both parties aim to deliver comprehensive training programmes that will strengthen on-farm practices across milk production, processing, hygiene, and farm management, while also enhancing coordination within the dairy value chain.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria Plc, Wassim Elhusseini, said the company’s long-standing efforts in the dairy sector have demonstrated a clear link between improved capability and better outcomes.
According to him, the partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development will expand the reach of Nestlé’s structured approach to building the technical skills required to boost productivity, improve quality, and support long-term sustainability in the sector.
Elhusseini further stated that the company’s investment in dairy development has consistently focused on creating shared value for communities while strengthening a resilient local supply base.
Since its inception in 2019, the Nestlé Livestock Development Project has recorded notable milestones, including the establishment of 83 dairy cooperatives, support for over 3,000 milk producers, and the aggregation of more than one million litres of raw milk, alongside extensive training and animal health interventions.
In his remarks, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, described the initiative as a practical step towards unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s dairy sector through improved technical capacity and stronger value chain systems.
He noted that the partnership aligns with the objectives of the National Dairy Policy under the National Development Plan and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that supports investment, drives productivity, and enhances food security and economic growth.
Both parties are expected to commence implementation following the signing of the MoU, including finalisation of the training framework, site preparation, and phased rollout of the programme, which is projected to provide a structured platform for developing critical mid-level technical skills across the dairy industry.
