The Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC) has urged Nigeria to transition from observer status to full membership ahead of the expiration of its observership in November 2026.
Secretary-General of the Council Izzanah Salleh made the call on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, in Abuja. She said Nigeria’s observer status, which began at the end of 2024, would lapse in November 2026, stressing the need for a smooth transition to full membership before then.
“Before that happens, we want to ensure there is a good transition from observership to member status,” she said.
Salleh explained that the Council is an intergovernmental organisation representing palm oil-producing countries, with ndonesia and Malaysia being its co-founding members, Papua New Guinea, Honduras and the Democratic Republic of Congo are current members. Nigeria, Ghana and Colombia serve as observers.
She said the Council’s mandate is to strengthen collaboration among producing countries, amplify their collective voice on global platforms and address trade and sustainability concerns affecting the sector.
On smallholder empowerment, a Director at the Council, Mr. Yudhi Antonio Siti, said the organisation had conducted training programmes in member countries including Papua New Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with plans to extend similar initiatives to Honduras and potentially Nigeria if it becomes a full member.
Malaysia’s Ambassador to Nigeria said his country, alongside Indonesia, remains committed to supporting the Council’s objectives and strengthening cooperation among palm oil-producing nations. He described Nigeria as a strategic partner in the global palm oil landscape and pledged continued engagement in line with Nigeria’s national priorities.
A representative of the Indonesian Embassy also reaffirmed support for Nigeria’s potential membership, highlighting existing agricultural cooperation between both countries.
Nigeria’s representative to the Council, Mr. Enyang, said Nigeria, currently Africa’s largest producer and consumer of palm oil, stands to benefit significantly from full membership. He noted that Nigeria produces about 1.4 million tonnes annually, consumes about 3.2 million tonnes and spends over $600 million yearly on imports to bridge the gap.
He added that Nigeria once controlled about 60 per cent of global palm oil production and exports up to 1964 and could regain its leadership position through stronger collaboration with the Council.
Salleh further disclosed that the Council’s Ministerial Council had approved a two-year membership fee waiver for observer countries that join this year, covering 2026 and 2027, with payments to commence in 2028.
She urged Nigeria to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen its position in the global palm oil industry and enhance support for smallholders, sustainability and market access.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari in his response said the Ministry had set up a technical committee to look into how the country can transit seamlessly from observer status to membership.
He said the they had engaged the service of a consultant to draw up the draft strategy for palm oil which is a major step to join in the CPOPC organization, adding that the draft is almost ready for validation, saying ones validated, they can beging implementation so that Nigeria can fully tap in the potential of the Oil palm Value Chain.
The Minister further stated that scientific findings has proven that they have discovered that palm oil can grow in areas that were not grown including Taraba Nasarawa, Niger, Benue saying they are conscious of the fact that they need support of the CPOPC Countries to support us in providing new seed varieties that are climate drought resistant, that can be grown in the areas.