Cocoa Farmers Seek Update from Tinubu on Proposed Nigerian Cocoa Board

Cocoa farmers in Nigeria have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to provide an official update on the status of the proposed Nigerian Cocoa Board Establishment Bill, citing prolonged uncertainty and growing concerns across the cocoa value chain.

The call was made by the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (CFAAA) in an open letter signed by CFAN National President, Adeola Adegoke. The groups expressed frustration over the lack of communication from the Presidency since the bill was transmitted to the National Assembly in November 2025 and subsequently withdrawn for amendments According to the farmers, the bill was first introduced in the House of Representatives on November 13, 2025, but was reportedly withdrawn the following day at the request of the Presidency to allow for corrections. A similar version had earlier been submitted to the Senate on November 10, 2025, before being stepped down for further stakeholder consultations, as announced by Senate President Godswill Akpabio on November 18, 2025 While acknowledging the importance of consultation and legislative review, the farmers warned that the continued silence surrounding the bill has created confusion among stakeholders, including farmers, processors, exporters, investors, and development partners. They noted that uncertainty over the fate of the proposed Cocoa Board has disrupted planning, weakened confidence, and stalled investment decisions within the industry. The groups also raised concerns over public claims suggesting that a Cocoa Board has already been reinstated, stressing that no enabling legislation has been passed and that no functional board currently exists. They said such misinformation has further complicated coordination efforts and policy expectations within the sector. Cocoa farmers argued that the absence of a formal Cocoa Board has left Nigeria’s cocoa industry without a central regulatory and developmental framework, resulting in weak quality control, limited research support, inadequate farmer welfare programs, and reduced competitiveness compared to major cocoa-producing countries such as Ghana. They emphasized that the proposed Cocoa Board is not intended to engage in cocoa trading, but rather to serve as a regulatory and development institution focused on improving quality standards, strengthening sustainability compliance, enhancing farmer incomes, supporting research and innovation, and attracting investment into the sector. The associations further noted that a functional Cocoa Board could play a critical role in boosting cocoa production, promoting climate-smart agriculture, supporting youth participation in farming, improving market organization, and strengthening Nigeria’s position in the global cocoa market. In their appeal, the farmers urged President Tinubu to clarify whether the bill is being revised, reintroduced, or abandoned, and to facilitate its speedy review and passage by the National Assembly. They also called on the Federal Government to reaffirm its commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s cocoa industry as part of broader agricultural and economic reforms. With global cocoa prices fluctuating and international sustainability standards tightening, stakeholders warned that prolonged policy uncertainty could weaken farmer confidence, slow export growth, and reduce Nigeria’s ability to compete in the global cocoa trade.