Clarion Olusegun
The Cocoa Roundtable Initiative (CORI), a coalition representing cocoa stakeholders across the global cocoa value chain, including Nigeria, has announced plans to stage a peaceful demonstration over the continued disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill before the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to Agronigeria, CORI disclosed that the Bill was formally submitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, on November 10 and November 13, 2025, to the House of Representatives and the Senate respectively, but has since gone missing from the legislative process without explanation.
According to the group, the unexplained absence of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill poses a serious threat to the sustainability and future of Nigeria’s cocoa industry, adding that stakeholders cannot remain silent while actions capable of undermining the development of the sector persist unchecked.
The Bill, backed by the Presidency, is described as a critical framework aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s cocoa sector, protecting the livelihoods of thousands of cocoa farming households, and establishing effective regulatory mechanisms to promote sustainable cocoa production.
CORI under the leadership of the Director – General, Comrade Adeola Adegoke noted that the proposed legislation would also reposition Nigeria to reclaim its status as a leading global producer of premium cocoa.
“We have waited patiently for the passage of this Bill, which holds the key to transforming the cocoa industry, improving market access and attracting investments.
“The continued delay and apparent disappearance of this Bill from the legislative agenda is unacceptable and has left stakeholders in a state of uncertainty,” the statement read.
CORI stressed that the planned demonstrations would be peaceful, lawful, and held across cocoa-producing communities nationwide.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement with the Federal Government, state governors in cocoa-producing states, the National Assembly, and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that the Bill re-emerges and receives the legislative attention it deserves.
The group further described the disappearance of the Executive Cocoa Board Bill as unpatriotic, warning that it could undermine the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration as it relates to the cocoa sector.
Consequently, CORI called on the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, and the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, MFR, to intervene.
CORI also appealed directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the Bill and ensure accountability.
