Stakeholders in Nigeria’s livestock sector have called for stronger involvement of state and local governments in driving dairy development to achieve national milk self-sufficiency.

The call was made during a panel session marking the 2026 World Milk Day, themed around mainstreaming dairy development policies at the sub-national level.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Demo Kalla, a member of the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee (PLRIC), said Nigeria’s dairy transformation would only succeed if states and local governments actively integrate dairy development into their economic and agricultural planning.

Kalla, who also serves as Acting Director of the TETFUND Centre of Excellence on Dairy Research and Development at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, described sub-national participation as the “missing link” in Nigeria’s quest for dairy self-sufficiency.

“Milk is produced in communities, not in policy documents,” he said, stressing the need for state governments to domesticate the National Dairy Policy, attract investment, and support dairy value chains.

He also highlighted the role of universities and research institutions in promoting sustainable dairy development through innovation, skills training, and technology transfer.

According to him, the Dairy Research and Development Centre is prepared to serve as a national platform for research, capacity building, and knowledge sharing in the sector.

Also speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the President on Livestock Development, Prof. Attahiru Jega, described dairy development as a strategic economic sector capable of generating jobs, improving nutrition, and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported dairy products.

Jega said this year’s World Milk Day theme, “Celebrating Women Dairy Farmers: Promoting Fresh Milk Consumption for a Healthy Nation,” recognizes the critical role women play in milk production, processing, and marketing.

He noted that the United Nations’ designation of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer further underscores the need to empower women in agriculture through improved access to finance, technology, training, and markets.

Jega added that ongoing livestock reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s administration place dairy development at the centre of efforts to transform the livestock economy and strengthen food security.