The federal government says it will validate a  technical committee report geared towards transiting Nigeria from observer status to full membership of Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) in April.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of agriculture and food security, said this when the council’s mission visited him on Saturday in Abuja.

He said that the ministry had constituted a technical committee to consider how the country would seamlessly transit from observer country to membership CPOPC based on its strategic importance in palm oil production.

“We are conscious of the fact that palm oil value chain is very strategic for us and identified it an export crop that can drive foreign exchange for the country and ensure good health in terms of consumption.

“We are conscious of the fact that we need the support of CPOPC countries to avail the country with new variety of seeds that are climate smart resistant that it can be produced by farmers in the country,” he said.

Alphonsus Inyang, president, National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), said being a member of CPOPC Nigeria would target over 10 million tonnes oil palm between 2026 and 2050.

“We are also targeting 2.5 million hectres from among Nigeria households who are out to produce one hectre each geared towards N20 trillion annual economy within this period from among Nigeria households.

“We are working side by side with the big players who will be developing plantations,” he said.

The secretary-general of CPOPC, Izzana Salleh, said the council mission to Nigeria was to see how the country could transit from observer status to full membership, among others. 

She said that the status of the country as an observer nation since 2024 would expire by November.

Ms Salleh assured the country of the council’s readiness to support its vision to strengthen domestic production, enhance food security and build a competitive and sustainable palm oil supply chain.

Izzana emphasised that being a member of the council would strategically position Nigeria for greater future regarding oil palm production .

According to her, visit is to strengthen the council’s engagement with Nigeria including potential membership in CPOPC.

She said: “the aim of the council’s mission to Nigeria is to advance both Nigeria’s national ambitions and Africa’s collective voice in global agricultural discussions.

“CPOPC was established to promote
cooperation among producing nations, empower smallholders, advance sustainability, and ensure fair, science-based global dialogue on vegetable oils.

She  emphasised that being a member of the council would strategically position the country for greater future regarding oil palm production and value chain as well as export.

“We are ready to support Nigeria’s vision to strengthen domestic production, enhance food security, and build a competitive and sustainable palm oil supply chain,” she said. 

(NAN)