Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, on Monday inaugurated the Ondo State Strategic Committee for European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) Compliance, tasking stakeholders to align the state’s cocoa industry with global standards.
The ceremony, held in Akure, brought together farmers, exporters, processors, and commodity associations across the cocoa value chain.
In his remarks, Aiyedatiwa described the inauguration as a milestone in safeguarding the future of cocoa in Ondo State, Nigeria’s largest cocoa producer, which accounts for about 40 per cent of national output.
“Nigeria is the fourth-largest cocoa exporter in Africa, while Ondo State contributes the largest share to national production. With about 60 per cent of our farmers engaged directly in cocoa production, and many more in processing, warehousing, marketing, and transportation, our cocoa could be at risk if we fail to prepare for EUDR compliance,” the governor said.
The EU regulation, which bans the sale of cocoa, coffee, oil palm, and other agricultural products linked to deforestation, takes effect on December 30, 2025.
Aiyedatiwa urged the committee to consult widely and devise strategies to make Ondo cocoa globally competitive. He acknowledged exporters and processors already investing in polygon mapping, agroforestry, and sustainability practices, and pledged his administration’s support for agroforestry and forest restoration initiatives. He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a draft bill to establish the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB) to regulate and promote sustainable growth in the subsector.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, praised the governor’s commitment, noting that the committee would meet weekly. He expressed optimism that Ondo could achieve in 90 days what took other countries, such as Cameroon, four years.
“Cocoa is the backbone of our state’s economy, and with the governor’s support, we are confident of boosting production, increasing revenue and strengthening Ondo’s place as Nigeria’s cocoa leader,” Akinola said.
National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr. Adeola Adegoke, pledged full cooperation with the state government. He stressed the need for deforestation-free cocoa to protect the environment, ensure global market access, and sustain farmers’ livelihoods.
He urged stakeholders to adopt agroforestry and data-driven mapping systems pioneered by exporters, saying these measures would guarantee compliance and promote sustainability.
