NACOFTAN Elects New National Leadership to Drive Growth in Nigeria’s Coffee and Tea Industry

 

The National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria (NACOFTAN) has successfully concluded its National Executive Election held on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, ushering in a new leadership team focused on transforming Nigeria’s coffee and tea industry through strategic development, sustainable agriculture, export expansion, youth inclusion, and global industry collaboration.

The election, which was conducted peacefully and transparently under the supervision of an independent electoral committee, attracted key stakeholders from across the country, including coffee professionals, tea producers, exporters, processors, agribusiness investors, commodity associations, and industry advocates.

The exercise also witnessed the participation of major institutions and stakeholders such as the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, regulatory agencies, private sector operators, and other commodity groups.

Stakeholders at the event described the successful election as another major step toward positioning Nigeria as an emerging player in the global coffee and tea market, while strengthening efforts toward agricultural diversification, non-oil exports, rural development, industrial growth, youth empowerment, and foreign exchange generation.

Dr. Hassan Usman emerged as the new President of the association, while Prof. Nataliya Olali was elected Deputy President. The newly elected leadership also includes six Vice Presidents representing the country’s six geopolitical zones, alongside Chinelo Ezeukwu as General Secretary, Bar Richard Ali as Legal Adviser, Brendaline Ivo as Financial Secretary, and Oke Bertha Sunny as Organizing Secretary, among others.

The newly inaugurated National Executive Council has been tasked with repositioning NACOFTAN as a leading voice within Africa’s coffee and tea ecosystem by promoting industry growth, strategic partnerships, policy advocacy, investment opportunities, and sustainable value chain development.

Speaking after the inauguration, the new President reaffirmed the association’s commitment to building a stronger and globally competitive coffee and tea sector capable of creating jobs, increasing agricultural productivity, attracting investment, strengthening local processing capacity, and boosting Nigeria’s participation in the international coffee market.

NACOFTAN further highlighted its strategic priorities to include coffee and tea value chain development, sustainable and climate-smart farming practices, youth and women participation in agribusiness, export readiness, specialty coffee production, farmer empowerment, quality improvement, and public-private partnerships within the agricultural sector.

The association also expressed appreciation to stakeholders, delegates, development partners, observers, and members whose contributions ensured the success of the electoral process, while reaffirming its dedication to professionalism, transparency, unity, and sector-wide collaboration.