Association Moves To Protect Nigeria’s Cashew Road Map, Sets Growth Agenda

National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate Nigeria’s cashew development roadmap, stating that it remains a critical framework for protecting farmers’ interests and strengthening the integrity of the sector.

The position was adopted at the association’s 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abuja, after the 4th Nigeria Cashew Day.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the AGM, NCAN resolved that representatives from all segments of the cashew value chain must be convened in a single forum to review the roadmap before any validation.

The association warned that any clandestine review or collusion by individuals or organisations to influence the document would be treated as a deliberate attempt to undermine farmers and compromise the sector.

The communiqué was jointly signed by NCAN president, Ojo Joseph Ajanaku; national secretary, Unekwuojo Augustine Edime; chairman of the Board of Trustees (BOT), Sunday Uzoechi; and BOT secretary, Abraham Adesina.

As part of measures to strengthen internal governance, the AGM unanimously resolved to expel Ademola Adesokan over allegations of impersonation and unauthorised activities, including convening a purported interim executive council and an illegal AGM in Lagos on January 20, 2026.

The association also called for a full investigation into  Babalola Faseru and others over alleged connivance in actions deemed contrary to the NCAN constitution.

The communique reads, “The AGM endorsed the 500 million cashew seedling production and distribution project for 2026, led by the Office of the Vice President, Kashim Shettima, building on 120,000 seedlings distributed by NCAN in 2025.

The AGM mandated President Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku to liaise with the Vice President’s Office to advance cashew production in Nigeria.

The AGM reaffirmed its commitment to due process, constitutional governance, and protection of NCAN’s institutional integrity, emphasising transparency, unity, and adherence to Association protocols.

“The AGM instructed the President and National Secretary to continue consultation and action to safeguard NCAN’s reputation and operational continuity.”

At the Nigeria Cashew Summit, stakeholders resolved to sustain industry growth through a balanced, market-driven roadmap that expands production, safeguards farmer incomes and accelerates domestic value addition.

Stakeholders also emphasised incentive-based policies, stronger quality assurance and traceability systems, and greater investment across processing, storage, logistics and AfCFTA-enabled regional trade to enhance Nigeria’s competitiveness in global cashew markets.