News

Cassava Farming Faces Great Challenges In Nigeria, Stakeholders Lament

Published

5 years ago

December 10, 2020

Editor

…Says Nation Produces 20% Of World Production

The Executive Director of the Nigerian Export Promotion Council ( NEPC), Dr. Olusegun Awolowo, has disclosed that Nigeria is ranked highest producer of cassava, producing about 20% of the total world production.

Dr. Awolowo who is also the CEO of NEPC made the disclosure at a one-day workshop on the implementation of the One-State One-Product (OSOP) Value Chain in strategic products of the zero oil plan cassava, Benin city.

Awolowo who was represented at the event by the Trade Promotion Advisor, NEPC, Export Assistance Office, Benin, MacPherson Lleogben, said Edo State has shown Cassava and Wood as its main and alternate products.

“The focus of today’s workshop is on cassava development, with over 59 million metric tons production. Nigeria is ranked as the largest producer of cassava producing about 20% of the total world production. The total estimated world production is put at over 291 million metric tons in 2017.

“Dlespite being the world largest producer of cassava, the industry is facing some challenges in Nigeria, such as; climate change, low yields, quality issues, low processing, sharp practices, infrastructural deficiency and poor access to finance which has constraint export. It is vital to engage the value chain players from time to time to address these plights, so that we can grow the export of the product in Nigeria.

“In 2015, NEPC developed a game changer documents tagged the Zero-Oil Plan. The initiative was developed as a strategy for boosting foreign exchange earnings through the non-oil sector. Preparing Nigeria for an economy that would not depend on a single drop of crude oil for survival.

“The Zero Oil Plan has set a long-term goal of earning 20% of Nigeria’s GDP (i.e US$100 billion) from non oil exports. The initial target is to exceed US$30 billion in non-oil exports over the next 10 years. If properly implemented the plan will lead to three primary results.

“Add an extra US$150 million (minimum) to Nigeria’s foreign reserves cumulatively from non-oil exports over the next 10 years. Create at least 500,000 additional job annually.

” Due to an increase in productive and export activities, helping to contribute to Sustaniable Development Goal (SDG) 8-. ” Decent Work and Economic Growth.Lift at least 20 million Nigerians out of poverty, contributing towards SDG 1-“No Poverty”, he added.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Edo State Ministry of Wealth Creation Cooperative and Employment, Joel Edionwe urged the farmers at the occasion to look for the modern ways of how to process their Cassava products.

Edionwe added that the state produces the largest cassava in Nigeria, just as he appealed to the farmers to develop a new format to produce a large quantities and therefore declared the event opened.

Delivering his speech, the Edo State Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Chief Emmanuel Odugie, said how would the farmers benefit from the workshop so that they can produce a large quantities of cassava.

He urged the participants to listen to the various speakers so that they can learn the modern ways of cultivating good cassava products.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Trade Promotion Advisor, NEPC, Benin Export Assistance Office, MacPherson Fred Lleogben, said the event was aimed at building the capacity of farmers and processor across the cassava value chain.

Lleogben said it will further strengthen the non-oil exports performance of the state.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

3 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

5 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.