We are live!The Nigeria–EU Cocoa Roundtable on EUDR Compliance is underway, bringing together stakeholders to strengthen Nigeria’s cocoa value chains and align with EU market requirements. Date: Monday, 11 August 2025Time: 10:00 AM – 4:45 PM (WAT)Join virtually: https://lnkd.in/dNCe83hT Be part of this important dialogue, driving compliance, sustainability, and growth for Nigeria’s cocoa sector. hashtag#CocoaRoundtable hashtag#EUDR hashtag#Agribusiness hashtag#Sustainability hashtag#NigeriaEU

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Agribusiness and Productivity Enhancement, Dr. Kingsley Uzoma (PhD), has highlighted Nigeria’s commitment to transforming cocoa production through science-driven, sustainable practices. He explained that ongoing fertilizer research and soil improvement initiatives will enable farmers to quadruple yields, attract major global buyers, and position Nigeria as a dependable partner in the international cocoa market. Dr. Uzoma noted that the government is investing heavily in research and collaboration, working with institutions like the Nigerian Institute for Cocoa Research and IITA. Through the CocoaSoils program, a Research for Development (R4D) and Partnership for Delivery (P4D) initiative led by IITA in partnership with Wageningen University and Research, Nigeria is advancing Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) solutions for cocoa farmers. This program develops and shares site-specific recommendations that increase yields, improve livelihoods, and prevent deforestation, with activities spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, and Côte d’Ivoire. With over 300,000 smallholder cocoa farmers, the administration’s priority is to raise productivity from the current average of 400–500 kg per hectare to 1,500–2,000 kg per hectare. This approach will further increase incomes and strengthen cocoa communities while ensuring long-term sustainability by helping farmers get more from existing farmland rather than expanding into forested areas.