Ogun State Government in South West Nigeria, has secured a $250 million investment, expected to commence with about 10,000 dairy cows, to establish the largest dairy facility in Nigeria upon completion.
The investment, secured from Pure Dairy Herds, an agricultural company, is aimed at boosting domestic milk production, strengthening food security and advancing Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
The State’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Bolu Owotomo, announced the investment during a community engagement involving the investors and residents of Itoro, Yewa South Local Government Area, where the project is to be located.
Owotomo explained that the project will expand local milk production, create employment, stimulate rural economic activities and strengthen Nigeria’s livestock and dairy value chain.
The commissioner noted that Ogun State’s proximity to Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital, together with improving transport infrastructure and investor-focused policies, has made it one of the country’s leading destinations for agribusiness investment.
He said although Nigeria currently imports a significant proportion of its dairy requirements, the new investment is expected to enhance local milk production, reduce import dependence, strengthen the livestock sector and contribute to the country’s broader food security and economic diversification objectives.
Owotomo stated that the investment underscores growing investor confidence in Ogun State’s business-friendly environment and agricultural policies under Governor Dapo Abiodun, as agriculture remains a cornerstone of the state’s economic diversification strategy.
He revealed that the state has continued to attract strategic investments across the agricultural sector, including the planned revitalisation of the Apoje Plantation in Ijebu-Igbo and other agribusiness projects in Obafemi Owode, Ikenne and Kajola in the Ewekoro Local Government Area.
The commissioner said the investors have committed to rehabilitating access roads to the project site to facilitate construction and future operations.
In response to concerns raised by members of the host community, Owotomo assured affected landowners that compensation will be paid in accordance with Nigerian laws and established procedures.
He disclosed that the state government is taking legal steps to resolve outstanding land-related issues to ensure the smooth implementation of the project.
The traditional ruler of Itoro, Oba Nathaniel Fasina welcomed the investment and called for sustained collaboration between the government, investors and the host community to maximise employment opportunities and local development.
He pledged the community’s support for the project, expressing confidence that it will stimulate economic growth and improve the welfare of residents.
The Head of Liaison, Pure Dairy Herds, Jamiu Adeleke, disclosed that the investment will transform Itoro into a major dairy production hub.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s industrialisation agenda, which promotes value addition and agro-industrial development as key pillars of economic diversification.
