World Milk Day: ‘Low-cost milk substitutes, creamers misleading consumers’

The Commercial Dairy Ranchers Association of Nigeria (CODARAN) has warned that the growing presence of low-cost milk substitutes and creamers marketed as milk products is misleading consumers and denying them the full nutritional benefits of genuine dairy products. Speaking at the 2026 World Milk Day Conference in Abuja, CODARAN National President, Muhammadu Damakka Abubakar, urged Nigerians to make informed purchasing decisions and carefully examine product labels. He said that while creamers and milk substitutes may serve certain culinary purposes, they do not provide the same nutritional value as fresh milk and dairy products derived from fresh milk. “We encourage consumers to choose fresh milk and dairy products whenever possible to maximise the health and nutritional benefits they offer,” he said. Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said Nigeria has embarked on one of its most coordinated livestock and dairy transformation programmes in recent years. He noted that Nigeria’s annual milk demand stands at about 1.7 million metric tonnes, while local production ranges between 600,000 and 700,000 metric tonnes, creating a significant supply gap that fuels dairy imports estimated at over $1.5 billion annually. Maiha said a major milestone was achieved in November 2025 when stakeholders met in Abuja to develop practical strategies for strengthening local milk production, processing, cold-chain systems, pasture development, animal health services and private-sector participation. The engagement led to the validation of the National Dairy Policy Implementation Framework, which was officially unveiled at the World Milk Day Conference. World Milk Day, celebrated annually on June 1, highlights the importance of milk and the dairy industry to nutrition, livelihoods, employment and economic development.