The minister of foreign affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has reaffirmed Nigeria’s resolve to prioritise palm oil as a strategic commodity for bolstering economic growth of the country.

Mr Tuggar disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by Kimiebi Ebienfa, the ministry’s spokesperson, against the backdrop of the visit by Izzana Salleh, Secretary-General of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) and her delegation to the ministry.

The ministry observed palm oil historically underpinned industrial development in Europe and remained vital to food production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and manufacturing.

He also described criticisms of palm oil in certain global quarters as often inconsistent with historical realities.

Mr Tuggar underscored the need for producing countries to assert evidence-based narratives.

According to him, for Nigeria, palm oil is not merely an agricultural product but a cornerstone of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic diversification.

Mr Tuggar said: “Nigeria currently produces approximately 1.4 million metric tonnes annually and consumes about 3 million tonnes, with ambitious plans to scale production significantly in the coming years.

“Nigeria’s potential membership of the CPOPC is a strategic step aligned with the administration’s priorities of food security, economic growth, and youth employment.

“Joining the Council would strengthen Nigeria’s voice in global commodity diplomacy and position the country to benefit from coordinated advocacy, sustainability frameworks, and technical cooperation.

“Nigeria must not allow shifting global consumption trends or policy narratives to undermine long-term agricultural competitiveness, but embrace forward-looking collaboration among producing countries to secure market access and reinforce collective bargaining power.”

Earlier, Ms Salleh stated that the visit was both a courtesy call and a substantive policy engagement aimed at deepening institutional ties between Nigeria and the Council.

She expressed appreciation for Nigeria’s positive disposition and reiterated the council’s readiness to support Nigeria’s integration into its frameworks.

“Particularly, in a strategic engagement focused on Nigeria’s potential transition from observer status to full membership of the intergovernmental body,” she said.

According to her, Nigeria’s current observer status with the CPOPC expires at the end of the year, while  emphasising the importance of early consultations to facilitate a smooth transition to full membership.

“CPOPC is an intergovernmental organisation representing major palm oil producing countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“While the council does not regulate production quotas like OPEC, it plays a critical diplomatic and advocacy role in addressing trade barriers, regulatory challenges, and sustainability narratives affecting palm oil on the global stage,” she said.

Ms Salleh further emphasised that global misconceptions and campaigns targeting palm oil necessitated science-based advocacy and coordinated diplomatic engagement to safeguard producer interests.

She disclosed the council’s ministerial leadership had agreed to waive Nigeria’s membership fees for two years should it transition to full membership.

She said “such is strategic move to enable Nigeria integrate quickly into the council’s multilateral advocacy framework.

“Also to strengthen collective representation on global agricultural and trade matters.”

On his part, Tony Lee, director for Smallholders and Sustainability at CPOPC, explained the council’s training initiatives across member states, to include capacity-building programmes in Africa.

He mentioned that palm oil accounted for approximately 60 per cent of the global vegetable oil, supply and played a central role in food security, poverty alleviation, and rural development.

He reiterated that empowering smallholders through good agricultural practices and sustainability compliance was critical to ensuring long-term sector resilience. 

(NAN)