The National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN) has announced plans to initiate large-scale oil palm cultivation across northern Nigeria, aiming to reposition the country as a global leader in palm oil production.
The disclosure was made by NPPAN President, Dr Alphonsus Inyang, during the Validation Meeting of the Nigerian Oil Palm Development Strategy, a programme designed to revamp the nation’s oil palm subsector.
Dr. Inyang highlighted Taraba State as a key partner, noting that its 69,000-plus square kilometers of land, abundant sunshine, and water resources make it ideal for large-scale production. “Taraba State has more land to cultivate oil palm than the whole of southern Nigeria,” he said.
He also identified other northern states, including Niger, Kogi, and Nasarawa, as suitable for oil palm expansion due to favorable terrain and climate conditions.
According to Inyang, focusing only on southern Nigeria would limit the country’s capacity to achieve the goals of the national oil palm strategy. “We need to go to the north to meet the targets of this strategy,” he added.
The initiative is expected to boost domestic production, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s position in the global palm oil market.
