By Ayomide Otitoju
Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to reviving its cocoa industry with a renewed focus on value addition through processing, rather than remaining a raw material-exporting nation.
Shettima made the remarks during a meeting with the President of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Chris Vincent, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. He stated that the Federal Government’s recent approval of the National Cocoa Management Board demonstrates its resolve to transform the sector.
“We don’t want to be producers of cocoa; we want to be processors,” the Vice President said. “A tonne of cocoa might earn $9,000, but processed cocoa brings in $30,000. When made into chocolate bars, it could fetch up to $50,000.”
Shettima noted that Nigeria’s youthful population, with an average age of 17, offers an energetic workforce ready to drive growth in the agricultural value chain. He added that the government is prioritising agriculture not only for profit but for employment generation and social development.
Highlighting his personal involvement, the Vice President said he would engage Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, to facilitate access to 10,000 hectares of land in Kurmi Local Government Area for cocoa development in partnership with the WCF and other stakeholders.
“I want to walk the talk,” Shettima said. “This is not just about profit; it’s about empowering our people.”
On his part, WCF President Chris Vincent noted the current global cocoa supply deficit, revealing that prices have quadrupled in the past three years. He expressed optimism about the prospects for Nigeria to emerge as a key supplier of sustainable cocoa.
“We are experiencing a global shortage, and this creates an opportunity for Nigeria,” Vincent said. “There is clear alignment with the industry’s sustainability goals, and Nigeria’s ambition to expand its cocoa sector is timely.”
