Arla Foods Nigeria has taken a bold step towards transforming the country’s dairy industry with the launch of its new Yoghurt Factory and the Nigerian Dairy Centre of Excellence (NDCE) at the 2025 Arla Open Day, held at the Integrated Arla-Dano Dairy Farm in Damau, Kaduna State.
Since commencing operations in 2023, the Arla-Dano Dairy Farm has grown its herd from 215 to over 400 cows. Beyond production, it serves as a learning hub for students, agricultural experts, and local farmers, providing hands-on training in modern dairy practices that promote sustainability and self-reliance across Nigeria’s dairy value chain.
The 2025 Open Day attracted an impressive line-up of guests, including government officials, farmers, students, development partners, traditional rulers, diplomats, and industry stakeholders. Among the dignitaries were the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), and Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu Mayere, Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, representing the State Governor, Senator Uba Sani.
Also in attendance were His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari, former Governor of Katsina State; Honourable Yakubu Dogara, former Speaker of the House of Representatives; Commissioners for Livestock Development from various states; representatives from the European Union Delegation to Nigeria; and NAFDAC officials — highlighting the strong spirit of collaboration driving Nigeria’s food security and local dairy development.
Speaking at the event, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha said “This gathering reflects the government’s policy direction towards local content development and integrated agricultural growth. At present, Nigeria produces only about 0.7 million litres of milk annually, far below the quantity required to meet the nutritional needs of our growing population, while spending over $1.5 billion annually importing milk and other dairy products despite having millions of cattle and capable producers.”
He added “When the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development was established last year, it was guided by a clear vision to unlock the potential of Nigeria’s livestock value chain, reduce dependence on imports, and ensure nutrition and prosperity for our people. The work Arla Foods is doing here in Kaduna — investing in local milk production, empowering farmers, and strengthening agricultural value chains — perfectly aligns with our national agenda for food security, job creation, and economic diversification. The future of Nigeria’s agriculture is indeed bright, and we will not relent until every Nigerian has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food produced within our borders.”
Representing the Kaduna State Governor, Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu Mayere reaffirmed the state’s commitment to agricultural development. “The Damau Farm project contributes to job creation, improved nutrition, and stronger local sourcing. Kaduna State remains committed to agricultural transformation and inclusive prosperity.”
Mr Peder Pedersen, Managing Director of Arla Foods Nigeria, reiterated the company’s dedication to sustainability and backward integration.
“Today reflects our belief in collaboration and shared growth. Together with our farmers, partners, government agencies, and industry stakeholders, we are building capacity and ensuring more fresh milk is produced and processed locally.”
He expressed gratitude to the EU Delegation, the Danish Mission in Nigeria, the Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN), NAFDAC, and other partners for their technical and regulatory support in advancing Nigeria’s dairy sector.
A major highlight of the Open Day was the unveiling of Arla’s state-of-the-art Yoghurt Factory, designed to produce premium-quality yoghurt made from 100% fresh milk sourced directly from the Arla-Dano farm. The new facility represents a significant stride towards local processing and reaffirms Arla’s mission to deliver nutritious, farm-fresh dairy products made in Nigeria.
The launch of the Nigerian Dairy Centre of Excellence (NDCE) further demonstrated Arla’s commitment to farmer empowerment, research, and knowledge transfer. The Centre will serve as a regional hub for training on animal welfare, nutrition, breeding, milk hygiene, and sustainable farm management.
As part of its backward integration programme, Arla Nigeria has already trained hundreds of local farmers, providing access to technical expertise, farm inputs, and mentorship to enhance milk quality and productivity. The NDCE will expand these efforts, creating a more inclusive and resilient dairy ecosystem.
The Open Day also featured exhibitions, technical demonstrations, and farm tours showcasing innovations in feed management, milk cooling systems, and waste-to-energy technology - all aligned with Arla’s global sustainability goals. Visitors interacted with experts on animal welfare, feed optimisation, and modern dairy systems designed to improve efficiency and environmental impact.
With its expanding footprint in Nigeria, Arla Foods continues to strengthen rural livelihoods, promote sustainable agriculture, and support the government’s drive towards food security and economic diversification. The company’s investments in Kaduna mark another important step in positioning Nigeria as a future leader in Africa’s sustainable dairy production.
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