The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) commenced its much-anticipated three-day In-House Research Review on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Lawrence Kayode Opeke Conference Hall, themed "Advances in Varietal Development of Cocoa, Cashew, Coffee, Kola, and Tea for Sustainable Economic Growth." This pivotal event aimed to highlight groundbreaking research advancements in vital agricultural sectors that significantly contribute to Nigeria's economic landscape.
Prominent dignitaries graced the event, including Dr. Patrick Olusanmi Adebola, Executive Director and CEO of CRIN, who served as the host; Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University; Prof. Lateef Sanni, Executive Director of Nigeria Stock Product of Research Institute, Ilorin; and Chairman of the Committee Research Institute of Nigeria; Mr. Popoola Waheed, Zonal Director of NTA. Other noteworthy speakers included Chief Comrade Adeola Adegoke, National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and Global President & Founder of the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA); Mrs. Blessing Nanman Tangtur, CEO of Lingzhi Global Nigeria Ltd; and Mr. Daniel Gemana, Managing Director of Vertex Agro Limited; alongside various stakeholders, researchers, farmers, and exhibitors.
In his opening address, Dr. Adebola expressed his gratitude to participants, emphasizing the importance of farmers in the success of agricultural research. “I thank everyone for coming, especially our farmers, because they are the main reason why we are here. To the keynote speakers, we look forward to your lectures, and we believe that your presence will add value to what we are doing today,” he stated. He also noted the unique nature of this year's review, sharing, “This will be my last in-house review in the institute, as I'll be stepping down very soon to pursue other opportunities. As I step aside, CRIN will always and forever be in my mind.”
Chief Comrade Adeola Adegoke delivered a keynote address centered on the advancement of varietal development in major crops. He remarked, “We are very proud of CRIN in terms of advancing research and farmers’ production across the mandate crops (Cocoa, Cashew, Coffee, Kola, and Tea). These crops, traditionally seen as economic commodities, have now emerged as powerful instruments for socio-economic transformation and environmental sustainability.” He highlighted Nigeria's ambitious agenda to increase cocoa production from the current 300,000 to 500,000 metric tons within the next two years and discussed the establishment of a regulatory board aimed at enhancing the cocoa industry sustainably.
Adegoke emphasized the urgent need for local processing of cocoa, stating, “Africa produces 90% of the world’s cocoa but consumes only a fraction of what it produces. Many farmers who have lived for decades have never tasted chocolate, which is disheartening. We need to change and rebuild this scenario; we will not only produce, we will process and consume.”
Mrs. Blessing Nanman Tangtur followed with a compelling keynote titled "Creation." She shared her experience over the past 13 years in the coffee, chocolate, and tea business, reaching 49 countries. “I discovered that we can't upscale cocoa production to 500,000 metric tons without the necessary knowledge,” she asserted. “I challenge all the youth to stop chasing jobs and establish small businesses with mandate crops. We have everything it takes in Nigeria to create, but nobody wants to create; we only want to consume.”
In a virtual keynote address, Mr. Daniel Gemana provided an overview of cashew processing in Nigeria. He highlighted that while Nigeria is the second-largest producer of cashew in West Africa, with around 350,000 metric tons produced annually, only about 18% is processed locally. “Due to foreign exchange volatility and a lack of cashew policy in Nigeria, processing is currently a high-risk operation, leading over 60% of factories to shut down during the current season,” Gemana explained.
Following the opening ceremony, the technical session commenced, with researchers presenting and reviewing their work, culminating in the reading of the annual report detailing CRIN's achievements over the past year.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Dr. Patrick Olusanmi Adebola, the Executive Director of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), expressed optimism about the role of their research in transforming Nigeria's agricultural landscape. “We are privileged to be saddled with the responsibility of research and development on the five mandate crops—Cocoa, Cashew, Coffee, Kola, and Tea. These economic crops have significant potential to transform the Nigerian economy, bringing much-needed foreign exchange and empowering farmers,” he stated. He highlighted the remarkable increase in cocoa prices, noting that “last year a ton of cocoa was 1.8 million naira but today it is about 11 million, demonstrating the financial upliftment for our farmers.”
Dr. Adebola emphasized the importance of the yearly In-House Research Review, stating, “This day is set aside to inform our major stakeholders, particularly farmers, about the direction of our research. You can't conduct research in isolation; farmers' feedback is crucial in shaping our research priorities.”
He further mentioned CRIN's focus on enhancing the quality of planting materials and the creation of a Value Addition Research Department, which has produced over 26 innovative products from the mandate crops. “These innovations provide opportunities for entrepreneurs to pursue commercial ventures,” he added.
Prof. Sunday Paul Bako, Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, commended the event's organization and reiterated the need for intensified production of crops like cocoa and cashew. “Cocoa was one of the agricultural crops that built Nigeria. We must go back to improving the capacity of these commodities," he stressed, also encouraging optimism among farmers regarding government policies.
Mrs. Blessing Nanman Tangtur shared her insights on the potential of coffee, stating, “I don’t just talk about coffee consumption; I emphasize how it can generate job opportunities and community development. The coffee value chain holds immense potential.” She highlighted the participation of various demographics in coffee production, emphasizing the role of women and youth. “I urge Nigerian youth to harness their creativity and explore how to improve our agricultural practices,” she advised.
Alh. Saliu, Chairman of the Coffee Farmers Association, echoed the importance of collaboration with CRIN, stating, “We come here every year to exchange ideas. We are now focused on producing and processing coffee for both local consumption and export. The cash crop value chain is enormous, and I encourage everyone to engage in agriculture. With the right knowledge and determination, agriculture can be a lucrative industry.”
These collective insights from key figures at the In-House Research Review highlight the potential of agriculture, particularly within Nigeria’s key economic crops, to not only boost the economy but also improve livelihoods across the nation.
The In-House Research Review serves not only as a platform for showcasing innovation but also as a catalyst for fostering collaboration among farmers, researchers, and industry stakeholders, aiming to drive actionable solutions to the challenges facing Nigeria's agricultural landscape.
