Qatar’s leading dairy producer, Baladna, has announced plans to establish a multi-million-dollar dairy and food processing facility in Ogun State, Nigeria. This investment is a major step in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce the reliance on dairy imports, currently estimated at over $1.5 billion annually.
The announcement was made during a courtesy visit to Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun in Abeokuta by Baladna representatives and the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Aisha Rimi.
The delegation was led by Baladna’s Head of Products and Solutions Architecture, Mr. Aidan Thomas Iynan, who outlined the company’s plans to replicate its integrated dairy model, which currently produces 1.7 billion litres of milk annually in Algeria.
Governor Abiodun welcomed the initiative, describing it as a vital step toward transforming Ogun State while emphasizing the state’s investor-friendly policies, strategic location, and the government’s commitment to removing bureaucratic hurdles for investors.
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“As global supply chain disruptions and climate challenges grow, this partnership is timely,” the governor said. “Baladna’s entry has the potential to create thousands of jobs, boost local productivity, and align perfectly with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
The facility will include livestock farming and local milk production, supported by feasibility studies and infrastructure investments. The NIPC’s Aisha Rimi praised the development, calling it a milestone in attracting high-impact investments in agriculture. She added that Baladna’s decision to enter the Nigerian market reflects growing global investor confidence in the country’s economic reforms and market potential.
Ogun State, Nigeria has been experiencing a surge in industrial growth as of recent, with ongoing projects such as the $400 million Stellar Steel Plant in Sagamu and a $50 million beverage facility by Mamuda Group.
Baladna’s dairy project is expected to significantly strengthen Nigeria’s dairy value chain, support rural development, and reduce the pressure on foreign reserves through import substitution.