The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting Nigeria’s cocoa industry to achieve 500,000 tons of production by 2025, following a remarkable 606% surge in cocoa exports.
Speaking at the Nigeria-EU Cocoa Roundtable on EUDR Compliance in Abuja, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Kingsley Uzoma, described cocoa as a pivotal driver of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“Cocoa is no longer just a commodity; it is a strategic lever in our economic transformation,” Uzoma said. “It accounts for roughly 29% of our total agricultural exports and 5.6% of non-oil exports overall.”
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s cocoa exports jumped from about N171bn in the last quarter of 2023 to N1.2 trillion in the last quarter of 2024. Uzoma attributed this growth to strong global demand, increased resilience, and the vast potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the government is committed to creating an enabling environment for public–private partnerships, fostering agricultural sustainability, and aligning with global trade standards.
On compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), Uzoma emphasized the importance of traceability, due diligence, and deforestation-free supply chains, noting that the regulation supports Nigeria’s green economy agenda, combats climate change, preserves biodiversity, and strengthens agricultural resilience.
