Vice President Kashim Shettima says Nigeria is committed to transforming its cocoa industry from a raw commodity exporter to a global processing hub, as part of broader efforts to revitalise the country’s agricultural value chain.
Speaking during a meeting with the President of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Chris Vincent, in Abuja, the Vice President highlighted the recent approval for the establishment of a National Cocoa Management Board as a key step toward that objective.
“We don’t want to be producers of cocoa; we want to be processors of cocoa,” Shettima said. “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.”
Shettima also emphasised Nigeria’s demographic advantage, noting that the country has a young and willing workforce, with an average age of just 17 years.
The Vice President pledged Nigeria’s readiness to collaborate with the WCF and other stakeholders to scale up cocoa production and processing in line with global sustainability standards, especially those set by the European Union.
To demonstrate the government’s commitment, Shettima said he would engage Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to secure 10,000 hectares of land in Kurmi Local Government Area for cocoa investments.
“I want to walk the talk. It is not even about the profit criteria; no. It’s about the social welfare criteria — employing people,” Shettima said. “Let me take you to my farm and you’ll be convinced that the new Nigerian leadership is actively involved and itching to drive the process.”
In his remarks, WCF President Chris Vincent underscored the urgency of expanding global cocoa supplies, noting that prices have quadrupled over the past three years due to a severe shortage.
“We are in the middle of a global cocoa supply shortage. The next two to three years present a unique opportunity for growth,” Vincent stated. “There’s a clear alignment between Nigeria’s ambition to grow cocoa and the industry’s need for sustainable supply.”
He added that the WCF is keen to partner with Nigeria as it seeks to become a significant player in sustainable cocoa production and processing.
