President says new agency will boost Nigeria’s global competitiveness in cocoa industry
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives, urging lawmakers to expedite action on a proposed legislation seeking to establish a National Cocoa Management Board aimed at revitalizing Nigeria’s cocoa industry and enhancing its stake in the global market.
The letter, read on the floor of the Green Chamber by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, stated that the Executive Bill was transmitted to the National Assembly in accordance with Section 58 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
President Tinubu’s message read in part: “I’m pleased to call for the kind consideration by the House of Representatives of the National Cocoa Management Board Establishment Bill, 2025.”
The President explained that the proposed board would serve as a central regulatory and promotional body to harmonize cocoa-related activities across the country.
“The bill seeks to establish the National Cocoa Management Board to regulate, promote, and harmonise cocoa-related activities across the country and for other connected purposes. The establishment of the Board will enhance effective coordination of the cocoa value chain, improve standards, and strengthen Nigeria’s participation in the global economy,” Tinubu stated.
The move marks a renewed effort by the Federal Government to reposition cocoa production as a key non-oil export driver. Once the pride of Nigeria’s agricultural exports in the 1960s, the cocoa sector has suffered years of neglect and inconsistent policies.
Lawmakers have welcomed the proposal, with several describing it as a timely intervention that could restore Nigeria’s position among the world’s top cocoa producers.
If passed, the new Cocoa Management Board is expected to work closely with farmers, processors, exporters, and state governments to ensure sustainability, fair pricing, and increased revenue generation for the nation.
Observers say the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s broader economic diversification agenda, particularly in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural value chains and foreign exchange earnings.
