Ondo State Governor, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated the state’s Strategic Committee on European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) Compliance, charging stakeholders to align the cocoa sector with international market standards.
The event, held on Monday at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, drew participants from across the cocoa value chain, including farmers, exporters, processors and commodity associations.
Governor Aiyedatiwa described the committee’s inauguration as a crucial step to ensure the state’s cocoa industry complies with the EU’s new regulation, which bars the importation of cocoa, coffee, oil palm and other agricultural products linked to deforestation. The law takes effect on December 30, 2025.
“Nigeria is the fourth-largest cocoa exporter in Africa, while Ondo State, the largest cocoa-producing state in Nigeria, accounts for about 40 percent of the national output.
“With about 60 percent of our farmers in direct cocoa production, and many more engaged in processing, warehousing, marketing and transportation, our cocoa could be at risk if we fail to prepare for EUDR compliance,” the governor said.
He urged the committee to embark on wide consultations and design strategies that would strengthen Ondo’s global competitiveness. The governor also commended exporters and processors who have already adopted polygon mapping, agroforestry practices and sustainability programmes ahead of the compliance deadline.
Aiyedatiwa assured of his administration’s continued support for agroforestry and forest restoration initiatives, while applauding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a draft bill to establish the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB) for effective regulation and sustainable growth of the subsector.
In his welcome address, Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, hailed the governor’s commitment to protecting the cocoa industry. He disclosed that the committee would hold weekly meetings and expressed optimism about Ondo’s readiness for compliance.
“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.
Also speaking, the National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr. Adeola Adegoke, pledged the association’s support and stressed the need for deforestation-free cocoa production to safeguard the environment, guarantee international market access and protect farmers’ livelihoods.
He encouraged stakeholders to embrace agroforestry and data-driven mapping systems being implemented by exporters, noting that these measures would not only secure compliance with EUDR but also promote environmental sustainability.
The event was attended by Deputy Governor Dr. Olayide Adelami, Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Olamide Oladiji, Chief of Staff Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service Bayo Philip and other top government officials.
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