The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) has expressed optimism that Nigeria will attain self-sufficiency in oil palm production and reclaim a strong position in the global market by 2050.
The association said this would be achieved through effective implementation of the National Oil Palm Development Strategy currently being validated in Abuja.
Speaking on the sidelines of the validation meeting in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), NPPAN National President, Mr. Alphonsus Inyang, said the strategy would significantly boost the country’s production capacity.
According to him, Nigeria’s current output of between 1.4 million and 1.5 million metric tonnes annually is projected to rise to between nine million and 10 million metric tonnes by 2050.
Inyang, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the Technical Working Group on the strategy, said the target would be driven largely by empowering smallholder farmers to increase productivity.
He explained that the framework also includes plans to expand oil palm cultivation to states such as Taraba, Niger and Kogi, noting that parts of northern Nigeria possess favourable conditions for the crop.
“Taraba, with its vast landmass and longer sunshine hours, is well positioned for oil palm cultivation, even more than many southern states. Niger and Kogi also have suitable areas,” he said.
Inyang added that leveraging such opportunities across the country would be key to achieving the 2050 targets and boosting Nigeria’s global competitiveness.
He said the strategy was designed to reposition Nigeria as a major player in the global oil palm industry through improved governance, investment and innovation.
The NPPAN president disclosed that the framework would provide for the establishment of a National Oil Palm Council, an Oil Palm Development Fund and a National Smallholders Development Fund to support growth in the sector.
He further noted that the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research would be transitioned into a Nigerian Oil Palm Board to strengthen research, development and innovation.
Inyang, however, expressed concern over Nigeria’s current ranking as the fifth-largest oil palm producer globally, despite being a leading player in Africa.
He attributed the sector’s slow growth to years of poor investment and the absence of a clear governance structure, which he said created fragmentation and discouraged investors.
“Governance architecture is critical to driving the sector. The new strategy will introduce a structured system similar to what obtains in Malaysia and Indonesia,” he said.
He explained that part of the funding mechanism would include allocating 25 per cent of tariffs collected on palm oil to support sector development.
Inyang added that the new framework would create an enabling environment for private sector participation, urging investors to take advantage of the opportunities.
Also speaking, Managing Consultant at Foremost Development Services, Dr. Fatai Afolabi, said the strategy aims to build a sustainable and competitive palm oil industry in Nigeria.
He said the approach would integrate large-scale plantations with smallholder farmers, supported by sustainable practices, research and efficient supply chains.
Afolabi noted that the goal is to ensure self-sufficiency, enhance competitiveness and promote inclusive growth across the oil palm value chain.
