Abuja, June 3, 2025 – The federal government is committed to reviving the cocoa sector and move Nigeria to cocoa processor country from ordinary producer.
Vice President Kashim Shettima said this on Monday while receiving a delegation from the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) led by its President, Mr. Chris Vincent.
He said government was doing all it could to move Nigeria from a mere cocoa producer to a processor by promoting sustainable cocoa farming and forest preservation.
Shettima said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved the establishment of National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB) as part of these measures.
“Nigeria used to be one of the world’s leading cocoa producers, but because of the advent of oil, we have been relegated to the background now.
“But we can reclaim that lost glory, and the President is fully committed to revitalising not only the cocoa industry, but all agricultural value chains.
“At our last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the government approved the establishment of the National Cocoa Management Board geared towards revitalising the cocoa industry and the whole cocoa value chain,” he said.
The vice president said the country had the manpower in capable young Nigerians who are willing to take advantage of the job opportunities in the agricultural sector.
“We don’t want to be producers of cocoa; we want to be processors of cocoa because a tonne of cocoa will fetch you $9,000 now, but processed cocoa will get you $30,000. If you turn them into chocolate bars, that might fetch you $50,000.
“So, we have the manpower, the average age of the nation is 17. We have very virile young men who are willing to work if they have the opportunity. So, I’m speaking from the heart; we are willing to partner with your organisation.
“I want to walk the talk. It is not even about the profit criteria; no. It’s about the social welfare criteria – employing people. Look, let me take you to my farm and you’ll be convinced that the new Nigerian leadership is actively involved and is itching to drive the process.”
Shettima promised to secure the 10,000 hectares in Kurmi local government area of the state for the WCF and other partners to expand their investments in the nation’s cocoa industry.
Vincent, had earlier expressed the readiness of the Foundation to work with the Nigerian government to revitalise the cocoa sector.
“We are in the middle of a global cocoa supply shortage, and the prices have risen four times over the last three years.
“We are looking for new supplies of cocoa, sustainable cocoa in particular.
“The key thing here is that we have a clear alignment with industries which need to grow in supply sustainably, and I’m aware of the Nigerian State’s ambition to grow cocoa as a crop, and I know the opportunity is now,” he said.
