Vice President Kashim Shettima has reaffirmed Nigeria’s ambition to transition from merely exporting raw cocoa to becoming a leading global processor, capitalising on the current global supply deficit and soaring cocoa prices.
Speaking in Abuja during a strategic meeting with Chris Vincent, President of the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF), Shettima declared Nigeria’s intent to unlock the full value of cocoa by investing in local processing, boosting job creation, and complying with emerging international sustainability standards.
“We don’t want to be producers of cocoa; we want to be processors. A tonne of raw cocoa might fetch $9,000, but if processed, it can command up to $30,000, and as chocolate bars, even $50,000,” Shettima said.
National Cocoa Management Board Approved
The Vice President cited the recent approval of a National Cocoa Management Board as a concrete step in institutionalising the country’s cocoa transformation plan. The board is expected to drive coordination, investment, and oversight of the value chain, especially amid heightened global demand and stricter European Union sustainability regulations.
10,000 Hectares Set Aside in Taraba
Shettima further revealed plans to personally engage Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas to secure 10,000 hectares of land in Kurmi LGA for cocoa expansion. The land would serve as a base for WCF and other strategic partners looking to invest in Nigeria’s cocoa sector.
“We want to walk the talk. This is not just about profit, but about the social welfare impact putting people to work and driving inclusive economic growth,” he said.
He also pointed to Nigeria’s youthful demographics with a median age of just 17 — as an asset in building a vibrant, agribusiness-oriented workforce.
“We have virile young men willing to work. The key is providing them the opportunity,” he added.
Global Cocoa Supply Crisis Creates Opening
WCF’s Chris Vincent said the current global cocoa shortage, which has seen prices quadruple over the past three years, presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to fill a major supply gap particularly in sustainable cocoa.
“We are in the middle of a global cocoa supply deficit, and the next two to three years are crucial,” Vincent stated. “There is strong industry alignment and increasing demand for sustainably sourced cocoa. Nigeria is well positioned if the right structures are in place.”
Vincent reiterated WCF’s commitment to partner with Nigeria on this front, stating that the foundation is ready to facilitate investments, training, and traceability mechanisms that align with both EU market expectations and long-term sector growth.
Private Sector Role & Next Steps
The meeting signals a renewed drive by the Nigerian government to attract international capital and technology into agro-processing, with cocoa at the forefront. As global buyers diversify sourcing beyond traditional giants like Ivory Coast and Ghana, Nigeria is positioning itself to become a next-generation cocoa hub, leveraging land availability, manpower, and high-level political backing.
Conclusion
The cocoa industry, long underutilised in Nigeria, is being repositioned as a strategic export and industrialisation driver. With global prices soaring and regulatory shifts reshaping the supply chain, experts say timely investments and policy execution over the next two years will determine whether Nigeria seizes or misses this moment.
