President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested the House of Representatives to consider and pass a bill seeking the creation of a National Cocoa Management Board, aimed at revitalising and regulating Nigeria’s cocoa industry.
In a letter read by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen during plenary on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized that the proposed legislation, titled “National Cocoa Management Board (Establishment) Bill 2025,” was transmitted to the parliament in accordance with Section 58, Subsection 2 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the President, the establishment of the board would ensure better coordination and oversight of cocoa-related activities across the country, while boosting Nigeria’s standing in the global market.
“I’m pleased to call for the kind consideration by the House of Representatives the National Cocoa Management Board establishment bill 2025,” Tinubu stated in his letter.
He further explained that the board would serve as a central body to “regulate, promote, and harmonise cocoa-related activities across the country and for other connected purposes.”
Tinubu noted that the proposed agency would play a key role in restoring the competitiveness of Nigeria’s cocoa sector, which was once among the world’s leading producers.
“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,” he said.
Speaker Tajudeen, while reading the communication to lawmakers, confirmed that the bill would soon be scheduled for consideration. The proposal marks part of the Tinubu administration’s broader agricultural reform agenda aimed at diversifying Nigeria’s economy and promoting non-oil exports.
News.ng reports that currently, the country’s cocoa industry is valued at over $6 billion with an expected projection of $25 billion if harnessed even as the country is ranked fourth-largest exporter of the commodity globally.
This initiative by the president could boost his ambitious $1 trillion economy target during his administration.
