By Agrobroadcast Team
Nigeria’s drive to revive its oil palm industry is set to gain fresh international backing as the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) signals readiness to deepen cooperation with the country on production expansion, smallholder integration and supply chain development.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, the Secretary-General of CPOPC, Izzana Salleh, said the council’s ongoing mission to Nigeria is aimed at strengthening technical collaboration and policy alignment to reposition the country within the global palm oil landscape.
Salleh noted that oil palm, indigenous to West Africa, once placed Nigeria among the world’s leading producers. She stressed, however, that the focus should not be on nostalgia but on building a modern, competitive industry capable of meeting present and future demands.
According to her, CPOPC is prepared to support Nigeria’s efforts to boost domestic output, enhance food security and develop a resilient, sustainable palm oil value chain.
“Together, producing nations can project a stronger and more coordinated global voice one that safeguards farmer livelihoods, promotes food security and advances balanced, development-oriented sustainability frameworks,” she said.
Citing recent industry figures, Salleh pointed out that Nigeria’s palm oil production rose from 1.28 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.57 million tonnes in 2025. Within the same period, domestic consumption increased from 2.45 million tonnes to 2.61 million tonnes, widening a supply deficit currently bridged through imports.
She explained that the shortfall represents more than trade imbalance, describing it as a drain on foreign exchange, lost income opportunities for rural communities and unrealised agro-industrial growth.
Beyond production support, the council’s mission also seeks to strengthen South–South cooperation among producing nations by facilitating practical knowledge exchange based on shared experiences.
Salleh disclosed that Nigeria is currently an observer member of CPOPC alongside Ghana and Colombia, adding that discussions are ongoing to upgrade the country’s status to full membership.
She emphasised that Nigeria’s advancement in palm oil development would carry broader implications for Africa’s influence in global agricultural policy conversations.
CPOPC, founded in 2015 by Indonesia and Malaysia, was established to promote cooperation among producing nations, empower smallholder farmers, encourage sustainable practices and ensure science-based dialogue on vegetable oils in international forums.
“Our role is not to dictate but to partner. We respect Nigeria’s sovereign processes and stand ready to align with its development priorities,” Salleh added.
Also speaking, President of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), Dr. Alphonsus Inyang, said full membership of CPOPC would provide Nigeria access to advanced technologies to improve its Oil Extraction Ratio (OER) for both palm oil and palm kernel production.
He further highlighted potential benefits such as capacity building initiatives and access to improved hybrid planting materials, which would significantly raise productivity among smallholder farmers the backbone of Nigeria’s palm oil industry.