Nestlé Nigeria Plc has entered into a partnership with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to establish a Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre in Paikon Kore, Gwagwalada, Abuja, as part of efforts to boost capacity and productivity in Nigeria’s dairy sector.
The collaboration, formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will see the centre located at the Nestlé Dairy Demonstration Farm, building on the company’s ongoing livestock development initiatives.
According to the partners, the project is designed to enhance technical skills, improve milk quality, and strengthen value chain coordination across the dairy industry.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Nestlé Nigeria, Wassim Elhusseini, said the initiative reflects the company’s long-term commitment to developing the local dairy ecosystem.
“At Nestlé, we have consistently worked to strengthen the dairy value chain in Nigeria. This partnership allows us to expand structured training programmes that will improve productivity, enhance quality, and support sustainability,” he said.
Elhusseini noted that the company’s Livestock Development Project, launched in 2019, has already made measurable impact in dairy communities, including the formation of cooperatives and training of pastoralists.
He disclosed that the initiative has supported the establishment of 83 dairy cooperatives, benefitting over 3,000 milk producers, while more than one million litres of raw milk have been aggregated through the programme.
The project has also trained over 2,000 pastoralists, vaccinated more than 36,000 cattle, and introduced key infrastructure to support dairy production.
On his part, the Minister of Livestock Development, Mukhtar Idi Maiha, said the partnership represents a practical step toward unlocking the potential of Nigeria’s dairy sector.
“Nigeria’s dairy sector holds significant potential, but unlocking it requires stronger technical capability across the value chain,” he said.
He commended Nestlé for its sustained investment in the sector, adding that the initiative aligns with the objectives of the National Dairy Policy under the National Development Plan.
The minister emphasised the government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment that supports private sector investment and drives growth in the livestock industry.
Under the agreement, the centre will provide structured training programmes covering milk production, processing, hygiene, and farm management, alongside broader interventions aimed at improving efficiency and product quality.
Both parties said implementation will commence with the finalisation of training frameworks, site preparation, and phased rollout of programmes in collaboration with key stakeholders.
The Dairy Technical Skills Development Centre is expected to serve as a hub for capacity building, focusing on developing mid-level technical skills essential for the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of Nigeria’s dairy industry.