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LAGOS – Nigeria’s cocoa industry stakeholders have described the Federal Government’s distribution of one million improved hybrid cocoa seedlings as a major step towards revitalising the sector, but insist that the intervention must be backed by sustained investments in farm rehabilitation, financing, extension services, traceability and public-private partnerships to deliver lasting gains in production and exports.
The stakeholders, who responded to questions on the significance of the initiative, in separate interviews with Daily Independent agreed that while the seedlings represent an important milestone, they are only one component of the broader reforms needed to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s cocoa industry.
They pointed out that the distribution of one million improved hybrid cocoa seedlings marks a positive beginning rather than a complete solution. Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni in Osun State, Nigeria, said the initiative stands out because it comes at a time when traceability and sustainability have become critical requirements for international cocoa trade, particularly with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) set to take effect on January 1, 2027.
According to him, the government’s ongoing efforts to establish a national traceability framework and commodity data warehouse will strengthen Nigeria’s position in export markets. He noted that Nigeria currently produces about 330,000 tons of cocoa annually, explaining that the improved hybrid seedlings developed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) possess several advantages, including a shorter gestation period, higher yield potential, pest resistance and improved flavour. Oba Thompson, who is also the founder of the International Cocoa Diplomacy (ICD), explained that unlike conventional varieties that take between five and seven years to begin fruiting, the new hybrids could start producing within two years. He further observed that while Nigeria’s cocoa farms currently average about 400 kilogrammes per hectare, improved agronomic practices combined with the new seedlings could raise productivity to about 1.5 tons per hectare. With these improvements, he projected that Nigeria could increase cocoa production to about 500,000 tons within the next five years.
Also speaking, James Oyesola, a member of the National Cocoa Management Committee (NCMC), described the seedling distribution programme as a commendable and timely intervention, noting that replacing ageing cocoa trees is fundamental to reviving the country’s cocoa sector. He said many cocoa plantations have become less productive and increasingly susceptible to pests, diseases and climate change.
Oyesola, who is also the State Cocoa representative and Director, Tree Crops and Climate Change, Ministry of Agriculture, Ogun State, said that the improved hybrids mature within two-and-a-half to three years, compared to four to five years for traditional varieties, while also delivering higher yields and better tolerance to major pests and diseases.
He noted that experiences from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire demonstrate that combining improved planting materials with farmer support programmes can significantly boost productivity.
However, Oyesola stressed that distributing improved seedlings alone would not substantially increase cocoa production without addressing wider structural challenges.
He advocated greater involvement of private nursery operators, rehabilitation of ageing farms, affordable finance, extension services, fertiliser support and access to approved crop protection products.
He explained that the one million seedlings would rehabilitate about 1,000 hectares annually, adding that the programme should be viewed as an important first step within a broader longterm cocoa development strategy.
While acknowledging that many may consider one million seedlings insufficient for Nigeria’s vast cocoa-growing landscape, he urged stakeholders to focus on the government’s intention to support smallholder farmers and rehabilitate old plantations.
Expressing optimism about the initiative, Oyesola said sustained implementation over the years would position Nigeria for significant growth, adding that “Rome was not built in a day.”
Offering a broader industry perspective, Ayo Akinola, a member of the NCMC, argued that the seedling distribution should not be seen as a “silver bullet” capable of solving all the challenges confronting Nigeria’s cocoa ecosystem.
He pointed out that the industry continues to grapple with institutional, regulatory, production, market, certification and sustainability compliance issues.
Nevertheless, Akinola said the intervention represents an important step towards rekindling collaboration among government, the private sector and development partners.
He explained that the programme could stimulate investments in climate-smart agriculture, precision farming and digital technologies capable of improving farm productivity, reducing production costs and increasing farmers’ incomes.
Akinola, who is also a Country Focal Person for the ICCO- led African Cocoa Exchange (AfCX) Programme, highlighted opportunities for attracting younger farmers through circular economy initiatives and carbon credit programmes, while strengthening adaptation to climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability.
According to him, a well-structured Development Public Private Partnership (DPPP) built around the initiative could lay the foundation for a modern, competitive and sustainable cocoa agribusiness model that aligns with the European Union’s traceability and sustainability requirements.
Akinola added that the government’s intervention could become the catalyst for consolidating and expanding the numerous certification and sustainability programmes currently being implemented independently by private sector players and development organisations.
The stakeholders thereby maintained that sustained government commitment, stronger public-private collaboration, improved farmer support services and compliance with evolving global sustainability standards will ultimately determine whether Nigeria can significantly expand cocoa production and strengthen its competitiveness in the international market.
