Government, European Union, and Allies Unveil Countrywide 'Choose Milk' Initiative to Address Nutritional Deficiencies

Experts have sounded the alarm over the confusion between genuine milk and dairy creamers, prompting stakeholders in the health, nutrition, and agriculture sectors to call for immediate public awareness campaigns on dairy consumption, as the Federal Government, in partnership with international partners, officially launched the nationwide "Choose Milk Campaign" to enhance nutrition awareness and promote informed dietary choices among Nigerian households.

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This campaign, unveiled at the Lagos Marriott Hotel, Ikeja, drew together high-ranking officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Ministry of Livestock Development, and development partners, including the European Union and the Danish Dairy Board, as well as regulatory bodies such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control.

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Healthcare professionals, nutrition experts, media personalities, and influencers, including actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele and paediatrician Dr. Ayodele Renner, were also in attendance at the launch of the initiative, which aims to address the widespread public misconception between real dairy milk and non-dairy creamers in the Nigerian market.

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Senior Project Manager of the Danish Dairy Board, Mr. Lars Jensen, stated that the campaign is designed to bridge knowledge gaps and promote healthier consumer choices, noting that "Not all products marketed within the dairy category deliver the same nutritional value" and that "Creamers do not offer the key nutrients found in dairy milk."

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Jensen added that the initiative would extend to schools, communities, and grassroots nutrition advocacy programmes nationwide, emphasizing that "This campaign is about clarity, transparency and better health outcomes."

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Danish Consul General to Nigeria, Ms. Jette Bjerrum, stressed the importance of collaboration in improving nutrition outcomes, stating that "Sustainable progress in nutrition education and dairy development can only be achieved through strong partnerships between governments, healthcare institutions, development organisations and responsible industry stakeholders."

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The Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the campaign as timely and aligned with the government's food security and nutrition agenda in a video message, saying "This 'Choose Milk' campaign strongly aligns with our objectives to improve national nutrition, promote sustainable dairy consumption and strengthen the local dairy value chain."

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Maiha further emphasized that "By encouraging Nigerians to prioritise dairy milk, we are taking a significant step towards building a healthier and more food-secure nation."

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Representing the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Director of Food and Drugs Services, Mrs. Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola, stated that the campaign would help close Nigeria's nutrition literacy gap, noting that "Nutrition remains one of the most important public health priorities for sustainable development."

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Adeola added that "People must understand what to consume, why it matters and how it contributes to their health and well-being" and that "Campaigns like this help bridge the nutrition literacy gap by empowering consumers with accurate information to make informed dietary choices for themselves and their families."

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The Deputy Director of Nutrition at SON, Mrs. Victoria Nsofor, also highlighted the importance of regulatory clarity in food labelling and consumer protection, noting that misinformation in the dairy space had contributed to poor dietary decisions in some households.

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The organisers said the Choose Milk Campaign will run for three years and will be implemented through nationwide media advocacy, school-based education programmes, community outreach, and digital engagement strategies.

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According to stakeholders, the ultimate goal is to ensure Nigerians are better informed about authentic dairy nutrition, leading to improved health outcomes, stronger families, and a more resilient food system.