Cam Dairy’s CEO  leads dairy revolution in Nigeria

NIGERIA – Ms. Aisha Bashir, founder and CEO of Cam Dairy Foods Limited, is championing a revolution in Nigeria’s dairy sector as she shares her inspiring story of catalyzing the sector’s success.

Currently collaborating with over 400 pastoralists, Bashir said that she aims to reach 600,000 by 2030, addressing the staggering statistic that 80% of milk consumed in Nigeria is imported.

She highlighted her relentless efforts to transform the dairy industry, emphasizing = the company’s ambitions to quest the deficit in the Nigerian dairy sector.

Cam Dairy Foods Limited, a pastoralist-driven dairy social enterprise, partners with local communities to ensure a consistent supply of dairy-based nutrition across Nigeria.

From milking to packaging, Bashir oversees the entire process, empowering women and enhancing the skills of dairy farmers to boost their income and improve cattle health.

Bashir’s ultimate vision is to foster innovative solutions for sustainable living and empower farming communities to overcome their challenges.

Central to her mission is the advancement of women in the dairy sector. Through essential business skills, financial literacy, and food safety knowledge, women farmers can tackle unique obstacles and ensure their businesses thrive.

Facilitating connections between women agripreneurs and stakeholders and providing marketing support are crucial for their success. Bashir is dedicated to assisting women vendors to become prosperous dairy entrepreneurs through capacity building.

“Cam means milk in the Kanuri language, which is the language of the people of Borno State in Northeastern Nigeria,” she said, explaining her business choice.

In her beginnings, Bashir recalled, “It was initially intimidating when we would go into the communities. I was among the few women in a room full of men in traditional settings. But the reception was open and welcoming. Respecting their ways of life brought us closer to them.”

Bashir’s approach emphasized collaboration and partnership, avoiding any perception of a feminist agenda. She focused on creating jobs for women, ensuring equitable compensation, and fostering household benefits.

Her dedication to empowering women in these communities to produce fresh milk has made her a persistent, tenacious problem-solver. She works tirelessly with communities around Abuja and its suburbs.

Subscribe to our food and agriculture industry email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE