August 25, 2025 – Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has inaugurated the Ondo State Strategic Committee for European Union Deforestation-Free Regulation (EUDR) Compliance, urging stakeholders to align the state’s cocoa sector with emerging global standards.
The inauguration, which took place on Monday, August 25, 2025, at the Cocoa Conference Hall, Governor’s Office, Alagbaka, Akure, gathered key stakeholders across the cocoa value chain, including farmers, exporters, processors, and commodity associations.
In his address, Governor Aiyedatiwa described the move as a significant milestone for the cocoa industry in Ondo State.
He noted that the European Union’s regulation, which bans the sale of cocoa, coffee, oil palm and other agricultural products linked to deforestation in its market, is set to take effect from December 30, 2025.
“Nigeria is the fourth-largest cocoa exporter in Africa, while Ondo State, the largest cocoa-producing state in Nigeria, accounts for about 40 percent of the national output. With about 60 percent of our farmers in direct cocoa production, and many more engaged in processing, warehousing, marketing and transportation, our cocoa could be at risk if we fail to prepare for EUDR compliance,” the governor said.
He tasked the newly inaugurated committee to engage in broad consultations with all stakeholders and to come up with strategies that will position Ondo cocoa for global competitiveness.
He also praised exporters and processors who have already adopted polygon mapping, agroforestry, and sustainability programmes ahead of the EUDR deadline.
Governor Aiyedatiwa assured that his administration will continue to support agroforestry practices and forest restoration. He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a draft bill for the establishment of the National Cocoa Management Board (NCMB), which aims to regulate and promote sustainable growth of the cocoa subsector.
In his welcome remarks, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Forestry, Engr. Leye Akinola, hailed the governor’s effort to safeguard the future of cocoa in Ondo State.
He said the committee will be meeting weekly and expressed optimism that, with the cooperation of stakeholders, Ondo could achieve in 90 days what took countries like Cameroon four years to implement.
“Cocoa is the backbone of our state’s economy, and with the governor’s support, we are confident of boosting production, increasing revenue and strengthening Ondo’s place as Nigeria’s cocoa leader,” Akinola said.
Also speaking, the National President of the Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr. Adeola Adegoke, pledged full support of the association to the state government.
He stressed the need for producing deforestation-free cocoa as a way of protecting the environment, securing access to international markets, and sustaining the livelihood of farmers.
Adegoke further urged stakeholders to embrace agroforestry systems and data-driven mapping already initiated by some exporters, adding that these measures are critical to ensuring compliance with EUDR while also promoting environmental sustainability.
Present at the inauguration were Deputy Governor, Dr. Olayide Adelami, Speaker of the Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Olamide Oladiji, Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa, Head of Service, Bayo Philip, along with other senior government officials.