In the 1960s, cocoa was Nigeria’s pride and one of the country’s strongest economic backbones. Before the oil boom, cocoa exports brought in massive foreign exchange and placed Nigeria among the top cocoa producers in the world. Farmers from the Western Region (especially in present-day Ondo, Oyo, Ekiti, and Ogun States) built schools, roads, and even funded community projects with cocoa wealth.
cocoa contributed over 60% of Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings before crude oil took over. Cocoa was not just a crop it was a development driver. The famous Cocoa House in Ibadan, once the tallest building in tropical Africa, still stands as a reminder of how agriculture shaped Nigeria’s golden era.
But over the years, Nigeria lost ground to countries like Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, who modernized their cocoa sectors, invested in research, and strengthened farmer cooperatives. The International Cocoa Organization (ICCO, Global Cocoa Statistics, 2023) highlights that Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire now account for over 60% of global cocoa production, leaving Nigeria trailing far behind.
According to the International Cocoa Organization’s Quarterly Bulletin of Cocoa Statistics, global cocoa production and grindings continue to be closely tracked, with trade data showing shifts in export dynamics. International Cocoa Organization+2International Cocoa Organization+2
Lessons for Today’s Agropreneurs
- Value Addition Matters
Exporting raw beans gave us revenue, but countries that invested in processing (chocolate, cocoa butter, powder) built stronger industries. Nigeria missed opportunities by not building large-scale cocoa processing hubs early enough. - Strong Institutions Drive Growth
Cocoa marketing boards and cooperatives once empowered farmers. Without them, the sector weakened, leading to poor pricing structures and farmer neglect - Agriculture Can Fund Development
The roads, schools, and businesses built with cocoa earnings show how farming can power national progress.
Moving Forward
Nigeria still has fertile land, favorable weather, and millions of willing farmers. If we combine technology, good policies, and value addition, crops like cocoa and even new ones like cashew, sesame, or ginger can create another golden era.
What crop do you think can be Nigeria’s next big global export? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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