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COCOA STAKEHOLDERS TO STAGE PEACEFUL PROTEST AT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OVER MISSING
COCOA BOARD BILL
The Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI) representing the interest of cocoa stakeholders whose
membership cut across global cocoa industry including Nigeria has announced plans to carry out a peaceful
demonstration to draw attention to the alleged disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill
submitted to the National Assembly by His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The bill was presented to the National Assembly on the 10th November and 13th November,
2025 to the House of Representatives and House of Senate respectively.
CORI observed that the disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill without any
explanation poses a serious threat to the sustainability of cocoa industry in Nigeria.
Stakeholders will
not fold their hands while those who are bend in hindering the development of the industry players act
unchallenged.
This was contained in a statement signed by Comrade Adeola Adegoke, the
Director-General, Cocoa Roundtable Initiative who is also the
National President, of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria as well as
Global President of Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa.
“The Executive Cocoa Board Bill which was laid before the National Assembly at the aforementioned
dates with the backing of the President represents a vital framework for revitalizing Nigeria’s cocoa
sector and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of farming families”.
“The bill’s passage is essential
for establishing proper regulatory mechanisms, ensuring sustainable cocoa production, and
positioning Nigeria to reclaim her place as a leading cocoa producer with best flavour at the global
stage”.
“We have waited patiently for the passage of this bill, which holds the key to transforming the cocoa
industry, market access and attract investments”.
“The continued delay and apparent disappearance of
this Bill from the legislative agenda is unacceptable and leaves our stakeholders in a state of
uncertainty”.
“CORI emphasizes that the planned demonstrations will be entirely peaceful and conducted within the
bounds of the law in all cocoa communities in Nigeria”.
“The organization is committed to engaging
constructively with the Federal Government, Governors of all cocoa-producing states, and all
stakeholders, including the National Assembly, to ensure that the Executive Cocoa Board Bill reappear and receives the attention and legislative action it deserves”.
“CORI frowns at the disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill of His Excellency, and
considered this unpatriotic action as an attempt to derail the progress of the Renewed Hope Agenda
of the present administration for the cocoa industry, hence the need to draw the attention of Minister of
Agriculture and Food Security – Senator Abubakar Kyari (CON) and Minister of Industry, Trade and
Investment – Dr. Jumoke Oduwole (MFR) to this. Moreso, CORI appeals to His Excellency to
intervene and fish out those who are responsible for the disappearance of this Bill”, the statement added.
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