Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo has said expansion of the cashew production value chain in the state remains a top priority in the economic transformation agenda of his administration.
Governor Ododo stated this when he received stakeholders in the cashew production value chain on courtesy visit to the Government House in Lokoja.
The Governor said his recent trip to Kuwait further exposed him to the enormous potential of cashew as a major economic resource, stressing that the crop should be protected and developed as one of Kogi’s valuable natural assets.
He acknowledged that cashew production has provided economic opportunities for many young people, taking them off the streets and contributing to efforts to reduce crime and insecurity across the state.
He described cashew as a resource with the economic value as important as oil to the state, warning that deliberate measures must be taken to protect farmers from exploitation and ensure that their lives and investments are secured.
Governor Ododo declared that his administration would not tolerate multiple taxation and illegal revenue collection in the cashew production value chain, saying the government would work with the Kogi State Internal Revenue Service, members of the forum cashew producers and relevant government representatives to address the menace of exploitation in the sub-sector.
He stressed the need to block revenue leakages in the cashew production so that the state and farmers could derive greater value from the cashew economy.
The Governor urged stakeholders to operate within the approved structure, stressing that the government would strengthen enforcement to ensure compliance.
He further called for a succession plan in the industry, including the continuous planting of improved cashew seedlings to replace ageing trees and sustain production for future generations.
Governor Ododo also commended the stakeholders for their confidence in his administration and commitment to the development of the cashew industry.2026
Director-General of the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA), Victor Omofaiye, commended Governor Ododo for his commitment to the development of the cashew sector.
Omofaiye recalled that the 2026 cashew season was more productive on account of measures introduced by the Governor to strengthen the sector through better regulation, improved cashew seedlings and enhanced security for farmers.
He said the interventions demonstrate the administration’s commitment to the industry and accounted for the strong support being expressed by stakeholders, while also commending President Tinubu for policies supporting agriculture and farmers.
Chairman of the Kogi State Committee on Cashew Export and Investment, Idris Yakubu, said stakeholders in the cashew industry were at the Government House to express their solidarity to the administration in recognition of the attention given to the sector and efforts to strengthen its value chain.
Yakubu said the cashew industry has enormous potential to create employment, attract investment and increase income for Kogi State, thanking Governor Ododo for providing an enabling environment, particularly improved security that allowed farmers to access their farms safely.
He appealed to the Governor to intensify efforts to stop illegal revenue collection while strengthening the appropriate legal structures for revenue collection, saying this would protect farmers and other industry players from harassment and improve ease of doing business by the cashew farmers.
The Cashew stakeholders endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Ododo, pledging to mobilise support for the two leaders in appreciation of policies and initiatives they said are strengthening the state’s cashew industry and improving the welfare of farmers.
