The Federal Government, nutrition experts and development partners have launched a nationwide campaign aimed at addressing nutrition misinformation and helping Nigerians make informed choices about dairy consumption.
The initiative, known as the Choose Milk Campaign, was unveiled in Lagos by stakeholders from the Danish Dairy Board, the European Union, and the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, alongside representatives of the Ministry of Livestock Development and other key players in the nutrition sector.
The campaign seeks to strengthen consumer awareness about the nutritional benefits of dairy milk while educating the public on the differences between real milk and creamers commonly sold in the Nigerian market.
Speaking at the launch, Senior Project Manager at the Danish Dairy Board, Lars Jensen, said the campaign was designed to tackle widespread misconceptions surrounding dairy products and improve nutrition literacy among consumers.
“Not all products marketed within the dairy category deliver the same nutritional value,” Jensen said. “It is important for consumers to understand that creamers do not offer the key nutrients found in dairy milk.
This campaign is about clarity, transparency and better health outcomes. We are taking this message directly to communities, schools and nutrition advocates because education at the grassroots level is key to driving lasting behavioural change.”
Jensen noted that many Nigerians are confronted with conflicting information about food and nutrition, making it necessary to provide accurate information that would enable households to make healthier dietary decisions.
In her opening remarks, the Danish Consul General to Nigeria, Jette Bjerrum, stressed the need for stronger partnerships among governments, healthcare institutions, development organisations and industry stakeholders to improve nutrition outcomes.
According to her, sustainable progress in nutrition education and dairy development can only be achieved through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, who spoke through a recorded video message, described the initiative as consistent with the Federal Government’s efforts to improve nutrition and strengthen Nigeria’s dairy industry.
“This Choose Milk campaign strongly aligns with the ministry’s objectives to improve national nutrition, promote sustainable dairy consumption and strengthen the local dairy value chain,” Maiha said. “By encouraging Nigerians to prioritise dairy milk, we are taking a significant step towards building a healthier and more food-secure nation.”
Also speaking, the Director and Head of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Olufowobi-Yusuf Adeola, said the campaign was timely given the country’s nutrition challenges.
She noted that consumers are increasingly exposed to numerous food products and varying nutrition claims, making nutrition education more important than ever.
“Nutrition remains one of the most important public health priorities for any nation seeking sustainable growth and development,” she said. “Consumers are faced with numerous food options and varied information about nutrition. Therefore, people must understand what to consume, why it matters and how it contributes to their health and well-being. Campaigns like this help bridge the nutrition literacy gap by empowering consumers with accurate information that enables them to make informed dietary choices for themselves and their families.”
The event attracted senior government officials, nutritionists, healthcare professionals, regulators, development partners, media practitioners and influencers.
Among those in attendance were representatives of the Standards Organisation of Nigeria and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, as well as actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele and paediatrician Dr Ayodele Renner.
Organisers said the campaign would run for three years and reach consumers through community engagements, school-based educational programmes, television and radio awareness initiatives, social media campaigns and other public enlightenment activities aimed at promoting informed nutritional choices among Nigerians.