Adesokan Urges Urgent Overhaul of Nigeria’s Cashew Industry

Ademola Adesokan has issued a strong call for a strategic transformation of Nigeria’s cashew industry, warning that the country’s long-standing reliance on exporting raw cashew nuts is stifling economic growth and limiting job creation.

Speaking on the state of the sector, Adeshokan stressed that Nigeria must rethink its current approach and prioritize local processing to fully harness the crop’s economic potential. He argued that the prevailing practice selling off nearly all harvested cashew immediately puts the country at a disadvantage compared to other African producers who strategically hold stock to benefit from favorable global prices.

According to him, Nigeria is effectively exporting its wealth in raw form.

“We should be saving our best crop to strengthen the local economy, but instead, everything is sold off at once,” he said.

Adesokan proposed a more deliberate system in which premium-grade cashew from the first harvest is reserved for domestic processing, while lower-grade produce can still be exported. This, he explained, would significantly boost value addition within the country.

Beyond higher revenues, he emphasized that expanding local processing capacity would create sustainable, year-round employment across the value chain from farming and logistics to manufacturing and export services.

He also raised concerns about questionable practices within the sector, including reports of levies imposed on buyers loading cashew directly at farm gates.

 Adesokan suggested that financial pressures on key industry players may be driving the rush to sell produce immediately, rather than encouraging storage and processing for greater long-term value.

Linking his advocacy to ongoing policy discussions, Adesokan noted that increased stakeholder engagement has begun to elevate cashew within Nigeria’s broader industrial development agenda. He reiterated an ambitious but achievable target: processing 40–50% of Nigeria’s annual cashew output locally.

With national production estimated at around 300,000 metric tons per year, he argued that even partial domestic processing could unlock substantial economic gains, particularly for rural communities where cashew farming is a major livelihood.

Adesokan also called for deeper institutional reforms to support sustainable growth in the industry. Among his key recommendations is the establishment of a dedicated cashew research institute to drive innovation in seedling development, improve yields, and enhance overall productivity.

He stressed that a more structured, transparent, and well-regulated system is critical to attracting investment and ensuring long-term success.

In addition, Adesokan questioned the legitimacy of leadership within certain industry associations, emphasizing the need for proper governance, due process, and accountability. According to him, credible leadership is essential for coordinating reforms and building trust among stakeholders.