Nigeria stands at an important crossroads for its cocoa industry. President Bola Tinubu has asked the House of Representatives to approve a National Cocoa Management Board to coordinate production, improve quality and lift the country’s standing in the global cocoa market. If the bill becomes law, it could be the practical step that turns recent export windfalls into long term gains for farmers, processors and the national economy.
Why this matters now
The request was formally transmitted to the House and read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen. The administration says the move is made under Section 58(2) of the 1999 Constitution, and it frames the board as a tool to harmonise the cocoa value chain from farm gate to export terminal. That means clearer standards, better oversight and a single institutional voice to negotiate trade, quality and investment issues for cocoa across Nigeria.
The economics behind the push
There is a solid economic logic to the timing. Nigeria’s cocoa export receipts posted a dramatic rise in the first quarter of 2025, jumping to about N1.23 trillion from N384.1 billion in the same period of 2024. This surge, reported by Nigeria-focused economic analysts, highlights how quickly the sector can contribute foreign exchange and non-oil revenue when market conditions and supply respond. The President and his team are arguing that a formal management board will capture this momentum and turn one-off gains into systemic improvements.
Global context and the short term risk
The global cocoa market is shifting. The International Cocoa Organization and major market analysts have forecast a return to surplus for the 2024/25 season, projecting a surplus of roughly 142,000 metric tonnes and a near 8 percent rise in world production to about 4.84 million tonnes. At the same time, grindings, a proxy for consumption, were expected to fall. That combination can put downward pressure on prices, creating a window where producing countries must either accept lower margins or add value at home to protect income. A national management board could help Nigeria navigate these swings by coordinating supply, strengthening quality and encouraging investments in processing.
What a National Cocoa Management Board would do
Think of the board as the glue for an industry that is currently fragmented. Core functions could include:
• Setting and enforcing quality standards so Nigerian beans command better prices.
• Coordinating extension services, farmer training and input distribution to raise productivity.
• Managing export calendars and stock strategies to avoid flooding world markets during surplus periods.
• Encouraging local processing and value addition to capture more of the chocolate value chain.
• Acting as a single voice to attract private investment and negotiate trade terms.
These are not theoretical aims. Countries that moved from raw-commodity exporting to domestic processing have insulated farmers and governments from raw-price volatility while creating jobs and higher export receipts.
For farmers this is more than policy language
On the cocoa farm the implications are real. Smallholder producers want predictable prices, consistent access to good seedlings and fertiliser, and training on best practices that raise yields without destroying soil. A national board with a mandate to coordinate extension and finance could put those services within reach. Better traceability and quality control also means Nigerian cocoa can sell at a premium in specialty and sustainable markets, which pays out directly to the farmer and the local economy.
Challenges to watch
Design and governance will determine whether this becomes a powerful tool or an added bureaucratic layer. Lawmakers should insist on transparency, clear performance metrics and private sector involvement. The board must be lean, accountable and focused on measurable outcomes: higher yields, higher local processing rates and stronger export margins. Without those guardrails, a well intentioned body risks slowing progress rather than accelerating it.
A moment for bold but practical reform
President Tinubu has framed the proposal as part of an agricultural revival and economic diversification agenda. Given the recent spike in export receipts and the shifting global supply picture, Nigeria has a practical opportunity to convert short term gains into durable industrial change. Passing the National Cocoa Management Board (Establishment) Bill, 2025 would not by itself transform the sector. But done right, it could provide the structure for coordinated investments in farmers, factories and standards that lift incomes across the value chain.
What stakeholders should be asking for
As the House considers the bill, cocoa producers, processors, traders and civil society should press for:
• Clear roles and accountability for the board.
• Provisions that prioritise smallholder access to inputs and finance.
• Strong quality and traceability systems that improve marketability.
• Targets and incentives for domestic processing and job creation.
• Safeguards to prevent market manipulation or exclusion of private players.
Final thought
Nigeria’s moment in cocoa is real. Recent export figures show the sector can deliver for the economy. Global forecasts show volatility ahead. A properly structured National Cocoa Management Board can turn both facts into opportunity by coordinating policy, improving standards and growing the industry in ways that benefit farmers and the country. Lawmakers have a simple choice: back a reform that channels gains to people and industry, or risk letting a promising moment slip through the cracks.
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