By Felicia Imohimi
The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has expressed its commitment to deepen technical and policy cooperation with Nigeria in oil palm production, smallholder integration, and supply chain alignment.
Izzana Salleh, Secretary-General of CPOPC, said this in an interactive session with newsmen on Saturday in Abuja.
Salleh identified the gesture as part of the objectives of the council’s mission in the country.
Salleh, who identified oil palm as indigenous to West Africa, added that Nigeria was once a global leader in its production.
She emphasised that the opportunity before Nigeria was not about looking back but strategically positioning itself for the future.
Salleh assured the country of the council’s readiness to support Nigeria’s vision to strengthen domestic production, enhance food security and build a competitive and sustainable palm oil supply chain.
“Together, producing nations can shape a stronger, more coordinated global voice. One that protects farmer livelihoods, advances food security, and ensures balanced, development-oriented sustainability frameworks.
“Nigeria has the history. Nigeria has the scale. Nigeria has the opportunity.
“Recent data shows encouraging momentum. Nigeria’s palm oil production has increased from 1.28 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.57 million tonnes in 2025.
“At the same time, domestic consumption has risen from 2.45 to 2.61 million tonnes, creating a supply gap that continues to be met through imports,” she said.
She said the gap was not merely a trade statistic, rather, it represented foreign exchange outflow, missed rural income opportunities, and untapped agro-industrial potential.
She identified other objectives of the mission to include strengthening South–South collaboration among producing countries, where experience-sharing was based on practical lessons.
According to her, the council will also work towards recognising Nigeria as a full member.
Salleh said that at the moment, Nigeria is CPOPC observer country together with Ghana and Colombia.
She emphasised that the aim of the council’s mission to Nigeria was to advance both Nigeria’s national ambitions and Africa’s collective voice in global agricultural discussions.
“Its leadership in palm oil development will have regional implications.
“CPOPC, founded by Indonesia and Malaysia, was established in 2015 to promote cooperation among producing nations, empower smallholders, advance sustainability, and ensure fair, science-based global dialogue on vegetable oils.
“CPOPC respects Nigeria’s sovereign decision-making process. Our role is not to persuade but to partner.
“We stand ready to support Nigeria’s vision to strengthen domestic production, enhance food security, and build a competitive and sustainable palm oil supply chain,” she said.
Dr Alphonsus Inyang, President, National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), said that Nigeria’s membership of CPOPC would expose it to technologies that would improve its position in Oil Expansion Ratio (OER) in palm oil and palm kernel.
Inyang identified other benefits to include capacity building and provision of hybrid inputs to enhance production capacity of smallholder farmers, the highest producers of palm oil in the country. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Uche Anunne
