In a bid to maximise the benefits of cocoa production and foster economic growth, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, emphasised the need for a multifaceted approach. Speaking at the International Cocoa and Chocolate Forum (ICCF) 2024 in Lagos, he outlined key strategies for the cocoa sector’s enhancement.
Represented by Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, the Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative, Trade and Investment, Sanwo-Olu stressed the importance of infrastructure development, research and development, training, financial incentives, market access, and trade facilitation in multiplying economic benefits.
The governor highlighted Lagos’s strategic position as a trade hub for value addition, stating, “Lagos, with its strategic geographical position and robust infrastructure, is poised to become a central hub for cocoa processing and trade.”
Sanwo-Olu revealed ambitious plans for local cocoa processing, aiming to increase it to 40% of total cocoa production by 2026. He proposed establishing three major cocoa processing plants in Lagos, each with a capacity to process 10,000 metric tonnes annually. The governor also emphasised training and empowering over 20,000 cocoa farmers and SMEs by 2025.
He acknowledged the untapped potential in value addition, emphasising the need to transform raw cocoa into various products and derivatives. Sanwo-Olu urged collective efforts and strategic partnerships for the transformation of Nigeria’s cocoa sector.
In his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, represented by Mr. Tola Faseru, the Osun State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, outlined Osun State’s plans to revitalise the cocoa sector. With an action plan for rehabilitation, re-plantation, and the establishment of new cocoa estates, Osun State aims to increase cocoa processing through cottage cocoa factories and industry cluster initiatives.
Adeleke called on the Federal Government to declare an emergency in the cocoa sector, urging direct federal interventions and support for state marketing boards. He emphasised the importance of innovations, setting targets for increased cocoa production, and collaborating with research institutions.
Malam Balarabe Lawal, Minister of Environment, represented by Mrs. Olusola Akinyemi, Federal Controller of Lagos and South-West Zone, stressed the need for a balanced approach for economic success, social well-being, and environmental sustainability in cocoa production. He called for advocacy, partnerships, and collaborations for optimal results.
Oba Dokun Thompson, the Oloni of Eti-Oni, Osun State, and Founder of International Cocoa Diplomacy, highlighted the forum’s aim to create access to the cocoa market, bringing together stakeholders to discuss issues and find solutions.
