The Vice President of Nigeria, Senator Kashim Shettima, has reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing the country’s cocoa industry and strengthening the entire agricultural value chain. He said the goal of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is to reposition Nigeria from being a primary producer of cocoa to becoming a key global processor and exporter.
Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the World Cocoa Foundation led by its President, Mr. Chris Vincent, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, Senator Shettima emphasized the government’s resolve to promote sustainable cocoa farming practices and forest conservation.
He described the recent Federal Executive Council (FEC) approval for the establishment of the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB) as a significant policy move aimed at transforming the cocoa sector. According to the Vice President, the Board will coordinate national efforts to enhance cocoa production, improve processing capabilities, and create more value-added opportunities within the sector.
“The Tinubu administration is putting everything in place to ensure Nigeria moves up the value chain in cocoa production—from farm to factory to global markets,” Shettima said.
He further noted that the new approach will boost export earnings, support rural livelihoods, and align with the government’s broader economic diversification agenda.
The World Cocoa Foundation, a global nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable cocoa production, expressed its willingness to partner with Nigeria in implementing reforms that support farmers and protect the environment.
