The Federal Government of Nigeria has highlighted the crucial role of cashew in achieving the country’s non‑oil export objectives. Mr. Abiodun Yinusa, Special Assistant to the President on Agriculture, said that the recent formation of the Interim National Committee of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) is a timely and necessary step to restore order to the association.
NCAN has endured years of constitutional violations and leadership crises, prompting the need for new leadership to cleanse the organization and ensure its contribution to the economy. The appointment of Mr. Ademola Adesokan as Interim National President has been unanimously approved; Yinusa described him as a credible leader with a proven track record in agribusiness. Under Adesokan’s leadership, the Interim Committee is expected to align with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security, value addition and agricultural transformation.
The Presidency has mandated that all NCAN state chapters be reconstructed and hold elections within one year, in line with government expectations. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) have been commended for their contributions to the Cashew Policy Roadmap, reaffirming NCAN’s role as a partner in its implementation. The Presidency has expressed firm support for these reforms, expecting NCAN to operate transparently, democratically and in full support of government policy under the interim leadership.
The cashew industry is a significant sector in Nigeria’s non‑oil export economy, and the government’s efforts to revitalise NCAN aim to enhance economic diversification. With the new leadership in place, the association is poised to promote the growth and development of the cashew industry, ultimately contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth. Successful implementation of the Cashew Policy Roadmap and the ongoing reforms are crucial to achieving the country’s non‑oil export targets and reducing dependence on oil revenue.
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