Oluwafunbi Bello 
ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria partners private investors to revive its palm oil industry, aiming to save up to $500m annually in import costs while closing a supply deficit exceeding one million metric tonnes.
Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari says the initiative seeks to reverse decades of decline in a sector where Nigeria once dominated global production.
“What this means is that we are exporting opportunities,” Kyari says, noting the country now produces 1.4 million metric tonnes against a demand of over 2.5 million.
The programme, structured as a public-private partnership, includes collaboration with Mass Industrial Development and Logistics Ltd.
Officials outline a two-phase strategy: first, establishing seven integrated oil palm estates of 10,000 hectares each; second, expanding downstream processing to boost competitiveness.
The estates will function as full value-chain hubs, combining cultivation, processing, storage and distribution.
Kyari urges state governments to support implementation through land access and enabling policies.
“It is time to move from intention to implementation,” he says.
Stakeholders say the initiative could transform rural livelihoods, strengthen food security and increase export potential.
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