WORLD MILK DAY: Milk Substitutes Lack Real Dairy Value — CODARAN

The Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) has cautioned Nigerians against confusing creamers and low-cost milk substitutes with genuine dairy products, warning that such alternatives do not offer the same nutritional benefits as fresh milk.

Speaking at the 2026 World Milk Day Conference in Abuja, CODARAN National President, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, urged consumers to pay closer attention to product labels and make informed choices when purchasing milk products.

He noted that while creamers and milk substitutes may be suitable for certain culinary uses, they should not be regarded as equivalent replacements for fresh milk and dairy products derived from natural milk.

“We encourage consumers to choose fresh milk and dairy products whenever possible to maximise the health and nutritional benefits they offer,” Abubakar said.

He expressed concern over the growing presence of low-cost alternatives marketed in ways that could mislead consumers about their nutritional value.

At the event, the Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, highlighted ongoing efforts by the Federal Government to transform Nigeria’s livestock and dairy industry, describing the initiative as one of the country’s most coordinated reform programmes in recent years.

According to the minister, Nigeria’s annual milk demand is estimated at about 1.7 million metric tonnes, while domestic production currently ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes, leaving a substantial supply deficit.

He said the shortfall continues to drive heavy dependence on dairy imports, which cost the country more than $1.5 billion annually.

Maiha disclosed that significant progress was made in November 2025 when stakeholders across the dairy value chain met in Abuja to develop practical strategies for boosting local milk production and strengthening the sector.

The discussions, he said, focused on improving milk processing capacity, expanding cold-chain infrastructure, enhancing pasture development, strengthening animal health services and increasing private sector participation.

The engagement culminated in the validation of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, which was formally unveiled during the World Milk Day Conference.

World Milk Day, observed globally every June 1, promotes awareness of the role of milk and the dairy industry in nutrition, employment, livelihoods and economic development.