The Federal Government has launched an initiative to promote healthy dairy nutrition and strengthen consumer awareness in a bid to address persistent misconceptions surrounding dairy consumption and the use of creamers.

The initiative, known as the “Choose Milk” campaign, is being implemented in partnership with the Danish Dairy Board and the European Union. It was unveiled in Lagos as part of broader efforts to improve public understanding of authentic dairy products and encourage more informed dietary choices among Nigerian households.

Designed as a three-year programme, the campaign seeks to deepen nationwide consumer education on the nutritional value of milk, while helping consumers distinguish real dairy milk from creamers that are widely available in the market and often perceived similarly.

Stakeholders said the programme would be implemented through community engagement activities, school-based nutrition education sessions, television and radio campaigns, as well as social media and other public enlightenment platforms targeting audiences across urban and rural communities nationwide.

Speaking at the launch, Senior Project Manager at the Danish Dairy Board, Lars Jensen, said the campaign was developed to correct widespread misconceptions about dairy products and improve public understanding of the nutritional differences between dairy milk and creamers.

He explained that although both products are often marketed within the broader dairy category, they do not provide the same nutritional composition, stressing that creamers lack key nutrients naturally present in dairy milk.

According to him, the campaign places strong emphasis on grassroots engagement, with targeted outreach to communities, schools and nutrition advocates to encourage behavioural change and improve health awareness.

Also speaking, Danish Consul General to Nigeria, Jette Bjerrum, underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between government and private sector stakeholders in advancing nutrition education and strengthening public health outcomes.

She noted that meaningful progress in nutrition awareness and dairy sector development would depend on continued partnerships involving governments, healthcare institutions, development partners and responsible industry stakeholders working in a coordinated manner.

In his remarks, Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, commended the initiative and reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s dairy sector and improving nutrition outcomes across the country.

He said the campaign aligns with the ministry’s broader objectives of promoting sustainable dairy consumption, enhancing nutrition and supporting the development of a stronger local dairy value chain, adding that such interventions are critical to building a healthier and more food-secure nation.

Director of Food and Drug Services at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Adeola Olufowolabi-Yusuf, described the campaign as timely and noted that it supports ongoing government efforts to address malnutrition and improve nutrition literacy nationwide.

She stressed that with consumers increasingly exposed to a wide range of food products and conflicting information, there is a growing need for accurate and accessible guidance to support healthier dietary choices and overall well-being.