The Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI), a key platform representing cocoa stakeholders across Nigeria and the global cocoa industry, has announced plans for a peaceful protest over the mysterious disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill from the National Assembly's legislative agenda.
In a strongly worded statement signed by Adeola Adegoke, Director-General of CORI, the organisation described the situation as "unacceptable" and "unpatriotic," accusing unnamed parties of deliberately stalling or suppressing the bill, which was transmitted by the Presidency to the House of Representatives on November 10, 2025, and to the Senate on November 13, 2025.
The bill, aimed at establishing a National Cocoa Management Board (or similar regulatory body), is intended to revitalise Nigeria's cocoa sector through better coordination, market regulation, institutional support, and sustainable development.
Stakeholders argue it is critical for addressing long-standing issues such as poor pricing mechanisms, limited farmer support, and the sector's vulnerability since the dissolution of commodity boards in the 1980s.
According to CORI, the bill was initially read in plenary at the House but was reportedly withdrawn the following day at the request of the Presidency for corrections and amendments.
A similar pattern occurred in the Senate, where it was stepped down shortly after introduction. Since then, no official updates have been provided on its status, location, or progress, leading to widespread frustration among farmers, processors, exporters, and other value-chain actors.
“CORI frowns at the disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill of His Excellency, and considered this unpatriotic action as an attempt to undermine the cocoa sector,” the statement read in part.
The planned protest aims to draw public and legislative attention to the delay and demand immediate reintroduction, passage, and assent to the bill to safeguard the livelihoods of millions of cocoa farmers and position Nigeria as a competitive global player in cocoa production.
The announcement follows similar concerns raised by groups such as the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN) and the Cocoa Farmers Alliance Association of Africa (COFAAA), which have previously written open letters to President Bola Tinubu seeking clarity on the bill's fate.
Cocoa remains one of Nigeria's key non-oil export commodities, but the sector has struggled with inconsistent policy support, smuggling, climate challenges, and low productivity.
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