By Salifatu Guruza
In a landmark move to reposition Nigeria’s coffee sector, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) participated prominently in the first-ever Coffee Festival International Nigeria (CFIN), held from August 28–30, 2025, at Langfield Events Centre, Rayfield, Jos.
The event brought together key stakeholders from across Nigeria and internationally, including participants from Brazil, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa, and beyond. Federal and state government agencies, research institutions, the organised private sector, investors, farmers, processors, and consumers converged to discuss and promote Nigeria’s coffee and tea value chains.
Representing the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, the Secretary to the State Government, Arch. Samuel Jatau formally opened the festival. He conveyed the governor’s strong commitment to the development of coffee as a strategic cash crop, emphasising the state’s focus on value addition and youth empowerment through agriculture.
The Director-General/CEO of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martins Ike-Muonso, underscored the Council’s support for the sector by dispatching a high-powered delegation from the Abuja headquarters, in addition to the staff members of Plateau State RMRDC led by the State Coordinator, Mrs. Salifatu R. Guruza. Representing the DG, the Director of Planning, Statistics, and Policy Department, Mrs. Rachel Kotso, delivered a goodwill message reaffirming the Council’s dedication to the coffee value chain.
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Mrs. Kotso announced the DG’s recent initiatives, including the sponsorship of 10 mobile coffee training centres. She highlighted a pending legislative bill aimed at mandating 30% value addition to all raw materials before export, a move expected to stimulate job creation and empower women and youth. She also referenced the Council’s MoU with NACOFTA and CRIN, which focuses on enhancing every link in the coffee and tea value chains.
“RMRDC is not just participating; we are investing in capacity building, innovation, and packaging improvements to make Nigeria’s coffee and tea globally competitive,” Kotso stated.
The Council’s exhibition stand was a focal point throughout the festival, featuring a wide array of technical publications and materials supporting agribusiness development.
The former Deputy Governor of Plateau State and former Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Pauline Tallen, delivered the keynote address. A long-time advocate for coffee development, she praised the resilience of Nigerian entrepreneurs, particularly Lingzhi Global Coffee, for breaking new ground by exporting Plateau-grown coffee to international markets. She called for peace in Plateau State to enable full agricultural and economic revival, describing the coffee sector as “unstoppable.”
The President of the National Coffee and Tea Association (NACOFTA), Dr. Hassan Usman, highlighted the historical relevance of Nigeria’s coffee industry, which thrived in the 1970s before declining due to neglect. He called on the government to create an enabling environment to support the industry’s revival and applauded the efforts of RMRDC, Lingzhi, and other partners.
As the festival concluded, it was evident that momentum is building to restore Nigeria’s position in the global coffee market. With coordinated efforts from stakeholders and renewed government interest, the Nigerian coffee industry may well be entering a new era of growth, value addition, and export potential.
