By: Abdullah Bello
In a move to boost Nigeria’s cocoa industry and increase non-oil revenues, the Federal Government is set to send a bill to the National Assembly seeking the establishment of a National Cocoa Management Board.
According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the proposed board will be tasked with overseeing and co-ordinating cocoa production, processing, and marketing across the country.
While briefing newsmen on the Federal Executive Council’s approval to that effect, the Minister emphasised the critical role cocoa played in the Nigerian economy.
“As you all know, cocoa is the highest non-oil revenue contributor to the Nigerian GDP, however, we are still lagging behind in terms of our competitors next door, that is between Cote d’Ivoire and Ghana”, he observed.
He said ahead of the development, Nigeria had held consultations with neighboring cocoa-producing countries to learn from their experiences.
“Delegations met with counterparts from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, both of which have already established national cocoa boards that effectively manage their cocoa sectors. The meetings aimed to explore ways of harmonizing efforts and enhancing collaboration across the region.
“Part of the resolution that was reached was to copy what they had done in Cote d’Ivoire and also in Ghana”, he said.
He further said prior to drafting the Bill, the Nigerian Ministry of Agriculture had set up a Cocoa Management Committee to assess the viability of such a board in the country. .
“Following months of review, the committee concluded its work and submitted its findings to the Federal Executive Council (FEC). The proposal is now awaiting FEC’s approval, after which the Attorney General will be tasked with drafting and submitting the bill to the National Assembly for legislative consideration”, Senator Kyari explained.
According to him, the proposed Board will feature a broad representation from various stakeholders.
