News in brief:
– OPGAN unveils a 5-year strategy to replant 1.5 million hectares and move Nigeria to 3rd in global palm oil output.
– The plan targets sustainable practices, innovation, and collaboration to close Nigeria’s palm oil production gap.
The Oil Palm Growers Association of Nigeria (OPGAN) has unveiled an ambitious plan to replant 1.5 million hectares of oil palm across 27 states over the next five years as part of efforts to reposition Nigeria in the global palm oil industry.
The plan is part of the newly developed Oil Palm Development Strategy for Nigeria (2024–2029), which seeks to propel the country from its current fifth position to third globally in palm oil production.
Strategic blueprint for sector transformation
Speaking at the official presentation in Abuja, OPGAN President, Mr Joe Onyiuke, described the strategy as a landmark development and the first of its kind by a commodity association in Nigeria. He said the document was designed to address longstanding challenges in the sector and set ambitious, actionable goals.
“This document represents more than just a strategy; it embodies a paradigm shift,” Onyiuke said. “We’re bridging the gap in our strategic framework and charting a course toward a vibrant and sustainable oil palm industry.”
The strategy targets the replanting of degraded or underperforming plantations, improved land use practices, and the adoption of sustainable and innovative agricultural technologies.
Nigeria’s palm oil legacy and output gap
Nigeria, once a global leader in palm oil export during the 1960s, is now Africa’s largest consumer of the commodity. However, the nation’s palm oil production has fallen significantly, creating a significant output gap.
In 2018, Nigeria consumed over 3 million metric tonnes (MT) of fats and oils but only produced 1.02 million MT, leaving a supply deficit of 1.92 million MT. To surpass Thailand’s output of 2.7 million MT and claim third place globally, Nigeria must produce an additional 3.38 million MT, requiring an estimated 965,714 hectares of new oil palm cultivation.
With optimal yield estimates of 3.5 MT per hectare, the plan to replant 1.5 million hectares by 2029 aligns with the target.
Federal government backs the strategy
The strategy received high praise from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Abdullahi G. Abubakar, commended OPGAN for its leadership, noting the alignment of the plan with national agricultural and food security goals.
“This document is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment within Nigeria’s agricultural community,” Abubakar said. “It reflects what can be achieved when stakeholders join forces for a common goal.”
He urged other commodity associations to follow OPGAN’s example and develop comprehensive strategies tailored to their specific industries.
Call for stakeholder support
Both OPGAN and the Ministry emphasised that the success of the strategy depends on active participation and investment by all stakeholders—including government agencies, financial institutions, development partners, and local communities.
“We implore all parties to rally behind this initiative,” Abubakar added. “Let us seize the economic opportunities in this plan and take Nigeria’s oil palm industry to new heights of prosperity and sustainability.”
The strategy also aims to improve coordination in the sector, provide a benchmark for progress, and promote inclusive growth and environmental responsibility through a structured approach to development.
