C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President - Newstrends
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C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President

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C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President

NATIONAL President of Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CFAN), Mr Adeola Adegoke, has said that Cross River will soon become the largest producer of cocoa in Nigeria.

Adegoke stated this at the inauguration of the Executive Committee of CFAN in Cross River’s, on Friday in Calabar.

According to him, Ondo State is presently known to be the largest producer of the crop in the country.

He said that the average age of a cocoa farmer in the state was between 55 and 60, describing this as an ageing population.

Adegoke said that Cross River had the potential in massive land and forest for cocoa farming, coupled with the youthful population cultivating the crop in the state.

Though the CFAN national president acknowledged the potentials, he, however, said that the state had to tap into them to succeed, as cocoa alone could run the state’s economy effectively.

“Enough of talking about cocoa estates established by the old Eastern Region. We need to start establishing new estates now.

“We want to see nothing less than 1,000 hectares of new cocoa estates established by the state.

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“Enough of export of raw cocoa beans. We need to start adding value and coming up with cocoa wines, biscuits, sweets and soaps that we can consume and export.

“We cannot prosper by just exporting raw cocoa beans. It is, therefore, important for the state government to be deliberate in infrastructural development in cocoa farming communities,’’ he said.

Adegoke also stressed the need for extension services in the state through innovation.

He urged CFAN members to repay the loans they collected from government and also pay their annual dues to the association.

The CFAN national president disclosed that in 2024, the Third Cocoa Festival would be held in Calabar.

On his part, Gov. Bassey Otu, represented by Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Anthony Owan-Enoh, said that the state would do all within its powers to ensure that cocoa farmers got all the necessary inputs.

According to him, the state has been shortchanged for so long because it produces cocoa but doesn’t get the necessary recognition.

“Others come to the state to buy their cocoa but at the end, it is not counted for Cross River as the producing state.

“Going forward, Cross River will produce, sell and export, because we have the capacity and the farmers will get maximum yields for their investments.

“I will have a private meeting with the newly-inaugurated chairman of CFAN in the state, where he will table the concerns of the farmers so we can chart a new course for the sector,” he said.

In his remarks, the new CFAN chairman, Dr Ramsey Tiku, said that cocoa remained the mainstay of the state’s econony.

According to him, if cocoa development is relegated, the state will be relegating the development of its people.

Tiku said that CFAN would partner with different groups and ministries to create an action plan that would add value to cocoa production in the state.

While thanking members of the association for the confidence reposed in him, he stressed the need for them to start looking at the regeneration of cocoa estates in the state and how to generate data for farmers.

C’River ‘ll become largest cocoa producer in Nigeria soon – CFAN President

(NAN)

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NNPC Remits N1.804 Trillion to Federation Account in February

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Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Mr. Bayo Ojulari
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), Mr. Bayo Ojulari

NNPC Remits N1.804 Trillion to Federation Account in February

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has remitted N1.804 trillion to the Federation Account in February 2026, marking a significant jump from the N726 billion recorded in January, according to its latest Monthly Financial and Operational Report Summary.

The sharp increase highlights improved oil and gas revenue performance in Nigeria, stronger production output, and ongoing fiscal reforms aimed at boosting transparency and accountability in the petroleum sector.

NNPC Ltd reported that its total revenue increased to N2.68 trillion in February, up from N2.57 trillion in January, driven by higher crude oil sales, improved gas earnings, and operational efficiency gains across its assets. The company also recorded a profit after tax of N136 billion, reflecting improved financial performance despite fluctuations in global crude oil markets and domestic operational challenges.

According to the report, Nigeria’s crude oil and condensate production averaged 1.51 million barrels per day (bpd) in February 2026. NNPC attributed the output stability to improved asset reliability, faster resolution of evacuation constraints, and enhanced coordination with upstream operators across key oil fields.

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The rise in remittances follows major fiscal policy changes introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in February 2026, including an Executive Order mandating full remittance of oil and gas revenues to the Federation Account. The directive also suspended the retention of management and frontier exploration fees previously deducted by NNPC Ltd and established an inter-agency committee led by the Minister of Finance to enforce compliance.

Officials say the reforms are designed to strengthen public revenue management in Nigeria, reduce leakages, and improve transparency in the oil sector.

The company said improved output was supported by infrastructure upgrades, better asset management, and stronger collaboration with industry stakeholders. It also highlighted progress on the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano (AKK) gas pipeline project, noting that construction works are advancing toward early gas delivery to Abuja, a key milestone for Nigeria’s domestic gas expansion strategy.

The performance aligns with broader recovery trends in Nigeria’s oil industry, supported by efforts to curb crude theft, improve pipeline security, and enhance upstream efficiency. Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission) also indicates fluctuations but overall resilience in production levels, as the sector continues stabilisation reforms.

Analysts say sustained growth in NNPC remittances will depend on consistent crude production, stable global oil prices, and continued enforcement of fiscal transparency measures. As of the time of filing this report, NNPC Ltd has not provided additional breakdowns beyond its monthly financial summary.

NNPC Remits N1.804 Trillion to Federation Account in February

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CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics

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CFAO Mobility Open Day to offer special deals on new vehicles, parts, diagnostics

 

CFAO Mobility has announced plans to host the 2026 edition of its flagship CFAO Mobility Open Day, aimed at showcasing a wide range of innovative mobility solutions.

In a statement, the company said the event would take place on Thursday, April 30, 2026, at Harbour Point, Victoria Island, Lagos, from 9am to 6pm.

The Open Day is expected to bring together leading global automotive and equipment brands in a dynamic exhibition tailored to meet diverse mobility needs.

Participating brands are Toyota, BYD, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Fuso, JCB, Howo, Sino Equipment, King Long, TechKing Tyres, Yamaha, Winpart and Auto Fast.

According to CFAO Mobility, attendees will experience an extensive display of products and services, ranging from brand-new vehicles and motorcycles to outboard engines, fleet management solutions, spare parts and aftermarket services.

The event, which is free and open to the public, will also feature test drives, professional vehicle diagnostics and exclusive spare-parts deals, offering participants a hands-on and engaging experience.

The company urged car enthusiasts, business owners and prospective buyers to take advantage of the Open Day to explore mobility solutions tailored to their personal and business needs.

With over 120 years of presence in Nigeria, CFAO Mobility remains a key player in the mobility and healthcare sectors.

It added that the Open Day reflects its continued commitment to delivering innovative, customer-focused mobility solutions.

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Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

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Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

The Naira continued its positive performance on Thursday, appreciating further in the official foreign exchange market to close at ₦1,359.31 per US dollar, according to data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The latest figure represents an improvement of ₦12.50 compared to the previous trading day, reflecting a 0.9 percent gain from Wednesday’s closing rate of ₦1,371.82/$.

The appreciation highlights continued stability in the official foreign exchange window, where recent policy measures have helped improve liquidity and reduce pressure on the local currency.

Market analysts attribute the naira’s relative strength to ongoing foreign exchange reforms by the CBN, increased dollar supply in official channels, and tighter regulation aimed at narrowing the gap between official and parallel market rates.

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The CBN has in recent months intensified efforts to stabilise the currency through measures such as improved FX market transparency, better coordination with market participants, and steps to attract foreign portfolio inflows.

Despite the gains in the official market, traders note that the parallel market remains more volatile, with rates still influenced by strong demand for foreign currency from importers, travellers, and businesses outside official allocation channels.

Economists say the recent appreciation could help ease short-term inflationary pressure, particularly on imported goods, fuel pricing, and manufacturing inputs, although they caution that sustained stability will depend on broader macroeconomic fundamentals.

These include stronger foreign reserves, improved export earnings—especially from crude oil—and continued investor confidence in Nigeria’s economic policy direction.

The naira’s performance also comes amid renewed attention on Nigeria’s broader economic outlook, with stakeholders closely monitoring the impact of monetary tightening and ongoing fiscal reforms.

As of the latest trading sessions, market participants expect the CBN to maintain its current policy stance in the near term as it works to consolidate recent gains in the foreign exchange market in Nigeria.

Naira Strengthens to ₦1,359.31/$ as CBN Data Shows Further Gain in Official Market

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