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Kogi moves to dominate Nigeria’s cashew market
The Kogi State Government has declared readiness to take the lead in transforming Nigeria’s cashew sector through deliberate policy actions, investment in local and industrial processing which would also create job and economic diversification.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Timothy Ojomah made this known at the Cashew Roundtable meeting held in Abuja, where he represented the state government.
He stated that Kogi, as Nigeria’s leading producer of raw cashew nuts, is now moving decisively towards value addition and agro-industrial investment that will make cashew a major economic driver in the state’s economy.
Hon. Ojomah expressed deep concern over the slow pace of progress in cashew development despite years of discussions and strategy documents.
“We have talked too much. What we now need is action. We have a document, and the time has come to sit and implement what is on paper and we hope our partners will assist us to drive the process forward,” he said.
A statement by the Government House Media Team on Sunday quoted the Commissioner to have described cashew as “a diamond on the tree,” insisting that with the right investments and commitment, the crop has the capacity to deliver massive economic returns.
He added that Kogi State has begun formulating and implementing deliberate policies to attract investors to establish cashew processing facilities within the state.
Hon. Ojomah further emphasized that the lack of value addition in cashew production is robbing the country, and especially Kogi State, of jobs and income.
Recalling a visit to Valencia, Spain, he said, “I saw the number of people employed in their cashew factories. If we replicate that here, the issue of unemployment will be tackled.”
He noted that Kogi’s approach is to harness its natural advantage in cashew production by encouraging public-private partnerships that will drive local processing, export potential, and inclusive economic growth.
Earlier, Florian Winckler, Country Director of German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), welcomed stakeholders to the roundtable and praised Kogi State for its leadership and commitment to cashew sector reform.
He noted that the roundtable was convened under the Moon Project, implemented by GIZ and co-financed by the European Union, the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the Gates Foundation, and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Development.
Winckler said that while Nigeria currently produces over 310,000 metric tonnes of raw cashew annually, the country has yet to harness the full economic potential of the crop due to low processing capacity, quality inconsistencies, and weak integration into global markets.
Winckler emphasized that production alone is not enough. “We must address the persistent structural challenges that hinder competitiveness. Without deliberate and coordinated action, Nigeria risks falling behind other countries that are investing in policy innovation, processing infrastructure, and quality standards,” he stated
He described the roundtable as an opportunity to realign efforts, ask critical questions, and begin a new phase of collaboration aimed at making Nigeria’s cashew sector globally competitive.
He also praised the presence of key players in the room and expressed confidence that real progress can be made through shared vision and commitment.
The Stakeholders present included representatives from federal and state ministries, international development partners, the private sector, and research institutions with the conversations focused on bridging the gap between production and processing, encouraging investment, and ensuring policy coherence across board.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria will on Thursday, deliver judgments in two cases involving the leadership crises rocking the African Democratic Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party.
According to information on the official website of the court, the matters, listed under “Political Appeals”, have been added to the cause list for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
While judgment in the ADC matter, marked SC/CV/180/2026, has been fixed for 2 pm, there is no time yet for that if the PDP.
President Bola Tinubu has written the Senate, seeking the screening and subsequent confirmation of fifteen nominees to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
The letter was read by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
The letter seeks the reconstitution of the commission’s board in line with statutory provisions with the list comprising nominees from diverse professional backgrounds, including the media and legal sectors.
Among the nominees are the President, Nigeria Guild of Editors and Editor, Vanguard Newspapers, Mr. Eze Anaba; and Dr. Salamatu Hussaina Suleiman, who has been proposed as chairman of the board.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Ojukwu (SAN) is to retain his position as the Chief Executive Officer.
Other nominees include Mrs Roseline Tasha, Ambassador Adam Yubak Baku, ACG Felix Lawrence, Mr. Edmund Chinonye, Mr. Chinonye Obiaku (SAN), Oluwakemi Asiwaju Okere-Odo, Professor Adedeji Ogunji, Kingsley Chidozie, Mohammed Adelodu, Maupe Ogun Yusuf, and Otunba Francis Meshioye as members.
Also nominated are Patience Patrick and Hawwa Ibrahim, listed as members.
The President said the nominations were made pursuant to Section 2(3) of the National Human Rights Commission (Establishment) Act, 2010, which empowers him to constitute the board subject to Senate confirmation.
He explained that the reconstitution of the board was necessary to enhance the commission’s institutional capacity and enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate to promote and protect human rights across the country.
If confirmed, the new board is expected to play a critical role in reinforcing the NHRC’s oversight functions, particularly at a time of heightened concerns over rights protection and accountability in Nigeria.
Following the presentation of the request, the Senate referred the nominations to its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters for screening and report within two weeks.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has revealed that it investigated the founder of Streams of Joy International, Pastor Jerry Eze, for six months over suspected money laundering before clearing him.
Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Commission, disclosed this on Wednesday while speaking at the Jerry Eze Foundation Business Grant Award Ceremony in Abuja.
According to him, the probe was triggered by intelligence reports and petitions after the commission observed large inflows of foreign currencies into the cleric’s domiciliary account.
“We work by intelligence, we work by petitions. At some point, I saw there was an account, a domiciliary account. Dollars, pounds were dropping in like raindrops, from Colombia, from America, from Sri Lanka, even from Togo.
“I said who is this man? Yes, I’ve been hearing about his name, I’ve seen his face a couple of times. I never bothered about what he was doing. I knew he was a pastor.
“So they said this one pastor of streams of joy, go and investigate him. So we went to the investigation. We combed the books,” Olukoyede stated.
The EFCC boss said he subsequently invited Eze for questioning after preliminary findings were compiled by investigators.
He added that upon meeting the cleric and reviewing the findings of the investigation, the commission found no wrongdoing.
“So he came to my office. He told me what happens and all of that, and how the money came, what he does, how he has been helping people, and all of that.
“I said, you know what, I didn’t call you here to explain to me. We have already done our work. I called you here to commend you,” he stated.
The remark drew applause from the audience, as Eze, who was present at the event, acknowledged the commendation.
He noted that the commission has a responsibility not only to investigate financial crimes but also to recognise individuals found to have acted with integrity.
The EFCC chairman, however, stated that the agency would continue to monitor financial activities where necessary, stressing that its preventive mandate remains critical in tackling corruption.
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