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Cashew Farmers Decry Exploitation, Demand Market Regulation
Cashew farmers across Nigeria are raising alarm over what they describe as exploitation by middlemen and exporters, urging the government to regulate the market and protect their livelihoods.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Farmers say they are being forced to sell their produce at very low prices while traders and exporters make huge profits. They warn that without urgent intervention, many small-scale farmers may abandon cashew production, a crop that has become one of Nigeria’s most important non-oil exports.
The National Cashew Association of Nigeria said Wednesday that the lack of regulation in the cashew market has created opportunities for exploitation. According to the group, farmers are often left with little bargaining power because foreign buyers and local agents dictate prices.
Cashew nuts are a valuable export commodity, contributing millions of dollars to Nigeria’s economy each year. But farmers argue that the benefits rarely reach them. Instead, they claim they are trapped in a system where profits are concentrated in the hands of a few traders who control access to international markets.
“We produce the cashew, we invest in the farms, but we are not the ones enjoying the real value,” said Ibrahim Musa, a cashew farmer from Kogi State. “Middlemen take advantage of us because the government has not put in place proper regulations.”
Many farmers complain that prices offered at the farm gate are so low they barely cover production costs. For instance, while international buyers pay high rates for processed cashew nuts, local farmers selling raw cashew are often forced to accept whatever price middlemen offer.
Experts say the problem is made worse because Nigeria exports most of its cashew raw instead of processing it locally. This reduces the earnings of farmers and limits job creation within the country. Processed cashew is far more valuable on the global market.
“Until Nigeria invests in cashew processing and protects farmers with fair pricing policies, we will keep losing out,” said agricultural economist Chika Eze. “Right now, the farmers do all the hard work, but the profits are leaving the country.”
Farmers are calling for government-backed minimum prices, the creation of regulated buying centers, and policies to promote local processing industries. They also want authorities to clamp down on sharp practices by middlemen who hoard cashew and manipulate prices.
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council has previously highlighted cashew as a strategic crop for diversifying the economy away from oil. However, farmers say government promises have not yet translated into practical support on the ground.
Cashew farming is a major source of income for thousands of rural households, especially in states like Kogi, Oyo, Enugu, and Kwara. In many communities, it provides school fees for children and pays medical bills. But as profits shrink, families are struggling to survive.
“The money I make from cashew is no longer enough to take care of my family,” said Grace Ojo, a farmer in Oyo State. “If things do not change soon, I may have to cut down my trees and plant something else.”
Stakeholders warn that if farmers abandon cashew, Nigeria risks losing a vital source of foreign exchange. Neighboring countries such as Benin and Côte d’Ivoire have strengthened their cashew industries through better regulation and processing facilities, giving them a competitive edge.
Analysts say that regulating the market could help stabilize prices, encourage investment, and give farmers a fairer share of profits. They stress that Nigeria must act quickly to avoid losing ground in the global cashew trade.
For now, farmers continue to call for urgent action. “We are not asking for too much,” Musa said. “All we want is fairness and a system that rewards our hard work.”
If the government responds with stronger policies and investments in cashew processing, farmers say the industry could not only support rural communities but also boost Nigeria’s position as a top global producer.
According to Nivo News, the General Overseer of the Living Faith Church Worldwide, Bishop David Oyedepo, has declared what he described as divine judgment on bandits and their alleged sponsors responsible for insecurity across parts of Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Speaking on Sunday at the church’s headquarters in Ota, Ogun State, during a sermon themed “Covenant Day of Vengeance,” Oyedepo stated that those behind killings, kidnappings, and violent attacks would face divine retribution. He further claimed that within the next seven days, consequences would begin to manifest against those he accused of fueling unrest in the country, assuring worshippers that the coming week would be marked by “testimonies of vengeance.”
He was quoted as saying that judgment had been pronounced on individuals responsible for such acts and their supporters, adding that the outcome he referenced would unfold within a week.
In a related remark during a recent midweek service, Oyedepo also acknowledged the presence of fraudsters within and outside religious spaces, warning that his identity and images were being exploited for fraudulent schemes. He urged members of his congregation to remain vigilant and committed to truth to avoid falling victim to scams involving impersonation.
He recounted a case where an individual allegedly posed as him in an attempt to defraud unsuspecting victims, noting that such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of fraudulent activities.
A political disagreement has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Nasarawa State following Governor Abdullahi Sule’s reported endorsement of Senator Aliyu Wadada as his preferred successor ahead of the 2027 governorship election.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the move has sparked tension between the governor and his predecessor, Umar Tanko Al-Makura, who faulted the decision, describing it as premature and not properly consulted within party structures.
Al-Makura, a prominent figure in the state’s political landscape, expressed displeasure that he only became aware of the endorsement through media reports. He argued that the decision should have involved wider consultation, warning that such early endorsements could undermine internal party processes.
He further noted that the APC had not begun its formal nomination process, insisting that declaring support for a candidate at this stage was inappropriate and ahead of schedule.
The controversy was further heightened by former Inspector-General of Police, Muhammad Adamu, who is also aspiring for the APC governorship ticket. He rejected the endorsement, stating that no individual has the authority to impose a candidate, and reaffirmed his intention to contest in the party primaries.
In response, Governor Sule, through his media aide, defended the endorsement, stating that it was consistent with political traditions in the state. He referenced past succession arrangements, including Al-Makura’s own endorsement of him, arguing that the current process was in line with established practice but being conducted more transparently.
The governor’s camp clarified that Senator Wadada remains a preferred aspirant and not the party’s official candidate.
Senator Wadada, reacting to the development, called for calm among party members, describing the situation as part of normal political competition. He also downplayed tensions with other aspirants, noting that the contest should be seen as a democratic process.
Meanwhile, support for Adamu continues to grow in parts of Nasarawa South, where youths, women, and stakeholders have openly backed his ambition, alongside broader endorsements for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adamu, however, maintained that he remains firmly in the race, accusing some political actors of inconsistency in the unfolding succession dynamics.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has described as unnecessary the denial issued by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) regarding an invitation allegedly extended to him for the groundbreaking ceremony of an ecumenical chapel at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
According to Nivo News, the Sultan’s media team maintained that an official invitation was duly sent to His Eminence requesting his attendance as Royal Father of the Day. The statement explained that the event also listed key dignitaries, including the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, as Distinguished Guest of Honour, and Senator Oluremi Tinubu as Mother of the Day.
The Sultan’s office emphasised that his participation in the proposed Christian event would promote interfaith harmony, noting his role as Co-Chairman of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council (NIREC). It added that globally, religious leaders often engage in events outside their faith traditions as part of efforts to encourage unity and peaceful coexistence.
The response follows an earlier clarification from CAN, which denied issuing any invitation to the Sultan and stated that the document circulating in public was not from the association. CAN further explained that the communication in question originated from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and insisted that it had no involvement in inviting the Sultan to the event.
While acknowledging that the SGF’s office was linked to the invitation process, the Sultan’s media team expressed concern over CAN’s denial, describing it as unnecessary and capable of creating misunderstanding, especially since the Sultan did not request to attend the ceremony.
The statement also urged religious bodies to focus on messages that strengthen unity and promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds.
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