Dr. Patrick Olusanmi Adebola, the Executive Director and CEO of the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN), during the Annual In-House Research Review held at the Lawrence Kayode Opeke Conference Hall on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, emphasized the critical role the institute plays in advancing Nigeria's agricultural landscape

As he prepares to step down to pursue new opportunities, Dr. Adebola shared his insights on the evolution of Nigeria's mandate crops—Cocoa, Cashew, Coffee, Kola, and Tea—and the promising avenues for sustainable economic growth.

“We are privileged to be saddled with the responsibility of research and development on these five mandate crops,” he stated. “These economic crops can transform the Nigerian economy, bringing much-needed foreign exchange and empowering our farmers.” He highlighted the remarkable spike in cocoa prices—rising from 1.8 million naira per ton last year to approximately 11 million naira today—underscoring the economic upliftment experienced by farmers.

Dr. Adebola noted the unique nature of this year’s review, describing it as a significant milestone, “This will be my last in-house review at the institute, and as I step aside, CRIN will always and forever be in my mind.” He outlined the institute's ongoing collaboration with Taraba State University, which has been instrumental in the breeding of vital crops, adding that CRIN plans to establish a greenhouse in the state, contingent upon securing necessary funding.

Highlighting the importance of stakeholder engagement, he explained, “The yearly in-house review is a day set aside to inform our major stakeholders, especially farmers, about the direction of our research. You cannot conduct research in isolation; farmers provide essential feedback that shapes our research priorities.”

Dr. Adebola also discussed CRIN's commitment to producing the best planting materials through its Value Addition Research Department, which has developed over 26 innovative products from these economic crops. “These innovations can empower entrepreneurs to pursue commercial ventures,” he remarked.

Addressing the concentration on oil in Nigeria and its impact on agriculture, he noted, “The decline in cocoa business was due to neglect, but interest has surged due to increasing cocoa prices. I believe that in the next 2-3 years, production will catch up with demand.”

On the topic of synthetic cocoa, Dr. Adebola expressed his strong reservations, stating, “Synthetic cocoa will fail. No sane person would want to eat synthetic chocolate; it’s a matter of ethical reasoning. Our naturally grown chocolate in Africa is still the best, and we will continue to thrive in the cocoa sector.”

He also raised concerns about shifting cocoa production to Latin America, warning that companies might intend to reduce their dependence on African cocoa in the coming decade. “We must not be complacent; currently, we stand at number six on the global production list,” he warned. “We have the potential to do better, and I believe that CRIN will continue to support the production of improved planting materials.”

Dr. Adebola concluded with an urgent call to action: “As Nigerians, we shouldn’t fold our hands and relax. It's essential we expand our capacity and produce enough seedlings to support our farmers.” His thoughtful reflections and strong advocacy for a revitalized agricultural sector serve as a poignant reminder of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for Nigeria's farming community.