Stakeholders in Nigeria’s cocoa industry have promised to speed up their work to meet the European Union’s December 2025 deadline for its “deforestation-free” regulation (EUDR).
They said this step is necessary to protect Nigeria’s cocoa exports and promote farming methods that are good for the environment.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the pledge was made during a roundtable meeting on EUDR compliance. The meeting was held at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The event was organized by the Office of the Vice President, in partnership with EU officials, cocoa-producing states, and private sector representatives.
Discussions focused on funding options, better coordination between institutions, and the use of technology to make sure Nigeria’s cocoa stays competitive globally while also protecting the country’s forests.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, described cocoa as an important tool in Nigeria’s plan to diversify its economy.
He said cocoa exports grew by 606 per cent in the last quarter of 2024, jumping from ₦171 billion the previous year to ₦1.2 trillion. This made up 29 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural exports and 5.6 per cent of total non-oil exports.
“Cocoa is no longer just a commodity,” Uzoma said. “It is a major driver of our economic transformation and an important part of our green economy agenda.”
He explained that meeting EUDR rules—which require proof that cocoa is produced without destroying forests—fits well with Nigeria’s climate goals. It also creates opportunities for new tracking systems, climate-smart farming, and more local cocoa processing.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria can meet the EU’s standards because many exporters are already following the rules.
Represented by the Deputy Director of Cocoa, Ajayi Olutobaba, the minister called for a single national system to track and ensure cocoa sustainability. This system should be managed by the government to keep control of the data and make verification easier.
The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the push for compliance is both a challenge and a great opportunity for Nigeria, which is Africa’s fourth-largest cocoa exporter.
Since the EU buys more than 60 per cent of Nigeria’s cocoa, she stressed that meeting EUDR standards is not just about trade—it is also about protecting the environment, supporting farmers, and reaching Nigeria’s goal of a one trillion-dollar economy under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Compliance is not optional,” she said. “It is about Nigeria first—using our land responsibly, helping our farmers and investors, and building our economy.”
The European Union’s Chargé d’Affaires in Nigeria, Zissimos Vergos, said Nigeria must position itself as a strong competitor in the global cocoa market.
“The message from this meeting is that the National Cocoa Board should go out and win a trophy for Nigeria by making our cocoa industry globally competitive,” he said.
Dr. Taiwo Osho, Sustainability Manager at Tulip Cocoa Processes Ltd., said there must be urgent action to clearly mark protected areas so farmers do not work in restricted zones.
He added that confusion over land boundaries, low yields, and limited access to farmland remain big challenges, even though interest in cocoa farming is growing again.
