The Federal Government has launched a comprehensive 10-year National Coffee Revival Plan in partnership with farmers, state governments, research institutions, and private sector stakeholders to reposition Nigeria as a competitive player in the global coffee market.
The initiative was officially unveiled during the inauguration of the Nigeria Coffee Revival Initiative (NCRI) Steering Committee at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The programme brings together stakeholders from 14 coffee-producing states—Ondo, Cross River, Plateau, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Edo, Abia, Imo, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, and Delta—with a shared objective of revitalising Nigeria’s coffee industry through coordinated policies, strategic investments, and technical reforms.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Oyo State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Engr. Adetunji, described the initiative as a critical component of Nigeria’s economic diversification agenda.
“Revitalising Nigeria’s coffee industry is a strategic imperative for sustainable economic growth, export development, and climate resilience,” he stated.
The minister emphasised the importance of value addition within Nigeria, noting that the country must move beyond exporting raw coffee beans.
“We must incentivise local roasting, processing, and branding. Let the world drink coffee that is grown, processed, and packaged in Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that while global demand for coffee—particularly specialty and organic varieties—continues to rise, Nigeria’s coffee production has remained constrained by aging plantations, underinvestment, and inadequate marketing structures.
According to him, reviving the coffee sector is not merely about restoring past agricultural successes but about unlocking significant opportunities for economic growth, export expansion, and environmental sustainability.
“Coffee is more than a crop; it is an extensive value chain. By investing in both Arabica and Robusta production, Nigeria can generate millions of jobs for young agronomists, women involved in post-harvest processing, and technology entrepreneurs developing digital supply-chain solutions,” he added.
Research and Technical Support
The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria pledged to provide the technical backbone for the programme through research, improved seedling development, and farmer training.
CRIN’s Acting Executive Director, Dr. A.R. Adedeji, said improved coffee varieties and strengthened extension services would be central to restoring productivity across coffee-growing regions.
“Our responsibility is to provide the science, seedlings, and training needed to make state-level coffee revival successful,” he said.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) also pledged support in improving export competitiveness, certification processes, and access to international markets.
Addressing Decades of Neglect
Speaking at the event, the Global President of the Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa and National Coordinator of the NCRI, Comrade Adeola Adegoke, said the initiative was designed to address decades of neglect within the coffee sector.
“Nigeria’s coffee farmers have struggled with aging tree stock, limited extension services, unstable pricing, and inadequate market access,” he said. “What we are building is an institutional framework that gives farmers a voice and creates a pathway from farm to global markets.”
He noted that the initiative goes beyond symbolism and seeks to establish a structured ecosystem linking farmers, policymakers, researchers, processors, exporters, and buyers.
Adegoke highlighted the absence of a dedicated national coffee policy in Nigeria, stressing that the sector currently lacks targeted investment incentives, coordinated extension programmes, and mechanisms to protect local farmers from import-driven market displacement.
He revealed that even major Nigerian beverage manufacturers continue to import green coffee from neighbouring countries to produce instant coffee for domestic consumption.
According to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (2024), Nigeria imported approximately $3.48 million worth of coffee, while annual domestic coffee export earnings remained below $200,000.
“This trade imbalance demonstrates the enormous untapped potential for expanding local production, increasing processing capacity, and building stronger regional coffee value chains across West Africa,” he said.
He added that the NCRI would work closely with key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, CRIN, NEPC, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria, and participating state governments to develop a comprehensive Nigeria Coffee Sector Development Policy.
The proposed policy is expected to encourage local production, support import substitution, and create a more attractive environment for private-sector investment.
Building Global Competitiveness
Representatives of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council expressed confidence that Nigeria could regain relevance in the global coffee trade by improving quality standards, strengthening traceability systems, and expanding market access.
International development partners also called for broader reforms beyond increasing production volumes.
Chief Executive Officer of AGNIMBLE USA, Nsidibe Etim, said sustainable success would depend on building efficient systems that enable farmers to compete globally.
“Coffee revival is not only about growing more coffee. It is about creating systems that allow farmers to participate competitively in international markets,” he said.
States Express Optimism
Representatives from participating states expressed optimism about the initiative, highlighting ongoing efforts to rehabilitate plantations, distribute improved seedlings, and attract investment into processing and export infrastructure.
Ondo State recalled its historical position as one of Nigeria’s leading coffee producers, while Cross River State outlined an ambitious seedling expansion programme aimed at producing millions of coffee plants. Plateau State said it is positioning itself as a specialty coffee hub following recent international recognition for the quality of its coffee.
Despite the optimism, stakeholders acknowledged persistent challenges, including aging plantations, weak processing capacity, limited access to finance, poor market structures, and the absence of a national coffee policy framework.
Representatives from Osun State noted that more than 90 percent of smallholder farmers have reduced or abandoned coffee cultivation due to poor pricing and limited market information. Oyo State described the sector as largely non-commercial in its current state.
Roadmap for Transformation
The 10-year roadmap will focus on farm rehabilitation, improved seedling distribution, traceability systems, processing infrastructure, export expansion, and stronger collaboration between federal and state institutions.
Stakeholders agreed that the success of the initiative will depend on sustained partnerships among government agencies, research institutions, private investors, and farming communities.
“Nigeria has the land, the farmers, and the potential,” Adegoke concluded. “What has been missing is the organised institutional commitment to make it happen.”
