By Lateefat Ogunyale
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has reaffirmed its strong commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s coconut value chain. This was made at the 12th International Coconut Festival (AgunkeFest 2025), held on Saturday, December 6th at the Badagry City Hall, Lagos. The festival, themed “Uncovering Coconut’s Power, Inspiring Global Action: Nigeria’s Export Potentials in the Coconut Value Chain,” was convened to promote innovation, research, and stakeholder collaboration that would position Nigeria to harness the full industrial and export potential of coconut.
Representing the Director-General, RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo M. Ike-Muonso at the event, the Lagos State Coordinator, Mrs. Uchechukwu Ojiakor, delivered a goodwill message emphasizing the Council’s vision for building a globally competitive coconut industry capable of driving national industrial growth. She noted that the festival’s theme aligns with RMRDC’s mandate to transform Nigeria from an import-dependent nation into a major producer and exporter of coconut and its high-value derivatives. According to her, the theme presents both the urgency and opportunity before Nigeria; to shift from high consumption and import reliance to becoming a globally competitive producer of coconut and its numerous value-added products. She stressed that coconut is not merely an agricultural commodity but a strategic industrial raw material with applications spanning agriculture, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage production, energy generation and construction.
Mrs. Ojiakor reiterated that RMRDC remains fully committed to strengthening the entire coconut value chain through research, technology deployment, capacity building, and partnerships with private-sector stakeholders. These efforts, she explained, aim to improve seedling quality, enhance processing efficiency, promote international standards and position Nigeria as an emerging force in the rapidly expanding global coconut market. She commended the festival organizers for creating a platform where innovation meets opportunity, noting that such engagements stimulate new partnerships, inspire investment, and strengthen policy support needed to scale coconut production and processing.
In his keynote address, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by Dr. Aisha Aliu, emphasized the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalizing agriculture and harnessing the growing international demand for coconut and its by-products. He highlighted the need for increased investment in research, improved farming practices, and fair remuneration for farmers. To support these goals, the Minister donated 3,000 coconut seedlings and called for stronger collaboration among farmers, policymakers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to boost national coconut production.
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Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, had announced plan to plant five million coconut seedlings within one year, starting with the distribution of 500 seedlings to selected farmers. This, he stated, would preserve the heritage of Badagry’s historical connection to coconut cultivation and restore the position of Lagos State as Nigeria’s leading coconut producer,
The Executive Director of the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), Dr. Leonard Isiona Gold, also highlighted the transformational potential of coconut to uplift farmers, support national development, and contribute to industrial growth. He discussed economic opportunities, environmental challenges, and the importance of research-driven sustainability, commending ongoing initiatives such as the planting of five million seedlings nationwide.
