Kogi Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, *Hon. Muhammed Muktar Shuaibu* , has reiterated the State’s commitment to unlocking the economic potential of cashew production through value addition and industrialization.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the Director Admin, Mr. Ejeh Michael, made this known in a keynote address delivered at the “Cashew Value Chain Development Workshop” organized by the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) at KOCCIMA Secretariat, Lokoja.
The event, themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Cashew Potential Through Value Addition for Sustainable Economic Growth”, brought together stakeholders to chart a path for transforming Kogi’s cashew industry into a driver of industrial growth and employment.
Highlighting Kogi’s position as the highest producer of cashew in the country, Hon. Shuaibu emphasized the need to eliminate the annual wastage of cashew apples and promote local processing. “It is observed that hundreds of tons of cashew apple are wasted annually due to lack of preservation and value addition,” he noted.
While pointing out the diverse opportunities cashew processing offers, including producing milk, bread, yogurt, and industrial materials from shells, he emphasized how it can also be used in pharmaceuticals and automotive parts, noting that such an initiative will not only create employment but also boost industrial activities and revenue generation in the State.
Commending the NEPC for its efforts to promote non-oil exports, the Commissioner assured participants of the State’s readiness to support private sector investments aimed at driving cashew value chain development.
The workshop concluded with a call for stakeholders to collaborate in implementing strategies that will ensure Kogi State harnesses its cashew resources for sustainable economic diversification.
Taiye Bayode
Information Officer
*Ministry of Commerce & Industry*
