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Nigeria’s Coffee Farmers Struggle Amid Global Price Rallies
Coffee growers in Africa’s most populous country are struggling to reap from the cultivation of the cash crop amid global record prices and high demand that is making their peers in Kenya, Rwanda and Ethiopia smile to the banks.
Global coffee prices have nearly doubled to all-time highs in 14 months as adverse weather battered harvest in the two world’s largest producers – Brazil and Vietnam, causing a shortfall and cutting global supply of the beans.
On Tuesday, the price for Arabica beans, which account for most global production, topped $3.66/lb (a pound), having jumped nearly 15 percent this year. Robusta coffee, a generally cheaper variety used mostly to make instant coffee, rose 0.9 percent at $5,609 a metric ton, according to Reuters.
Nigeria grows both the Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. A kg which is equivalent to (2.2 pounds) of Arabica which is mainly grown in the Mambilla and Jos Plateau sells between N5,000 and N10,000 depending on quality and negotiation.
A kilogram of Robusta beans mainly grown in Kogi and Oyo sells between N3,000 and N5,000 in Nigeria, while a ton goes for an average of N4 million. The figure indicates that the Nigerian coffee farmer earns N4.4 million less than their peers in other coffee producing countries ($5,609 with N1,500/$, gives you N8.4 million -N4 million).
“Nigerian farmers are not benefiting from the global coffee price rally,” Hassan Usman, president of the National Coffee and Tea Association of Nigeria, said in a response to questions.
“Local prices are not attractive and it has been a disincentive for us to grow more of the commodity,” Usman said.
Coffee, cotton and cocoa were the country’s main foreign earners in the 60’s and 70’s, he said, noting that the crop has suffered total neglect by the federal and state governments despite the country’s potential for commercial production.
“If truly we want to boost our non-oil, coffee, which is the most consumed commodity after crude oil, offers Nigeria the opportunity,” he said.
According to him, the sector lacks the structure to grow and attract investments. “You can see what Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Kenya are doing with coffee and tea production,” he added.
Despite Nigeria’s young population, which constituting about 63 percent of the country’s 200 million people, are developing a huge taste for coffee products, local production has continued to decline.
The country’s coffee production has been on a steady decline with prices unattractive,” said Kayode Oluyole, assistant director and programme lead of the coffee research programme at the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria.
“The low prices of the commodity locally are making it difficult for farmers to expand production as they are unable to retain their cost,” he said.
He noted that the low quality of the country’s coffee beans has made it unattractive for local processors to pay premium prices.
He added that the research institute is training farmers on how to handle properly and process their coffee beans.
“Most of our farmers do not remove the berries from the seed immediately after harvest, instead they dry them together.” “Processors would not pay a premium price for that because they incur an extra cost to remove the dried berries from the beans.”
According to him, the growing consumption of coffee in the country is being filled with imported coffee beans from neighbouring African countries and instant hot coffee drinks from China.
Nigeria’s coffee production which peaked in the 60’s has been on a steady decline, producing 1,844 metric tons of unroasted coffee in 2023 with an average yield of 500kg per hectare, according to the latest data from the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria recorded no export value of coffee in the first nine months of 2024.
Nigeria has commenced the Stakeholders’ Consultation in preparation for the 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The regional consultation for Nigeria’s 2025 Voluntary National Review (VNR) across the six geopolitical zones was launched in the South West zone, with Lagos State hosting the session.
Held under the theme: “Advancing sustainable, inclusive, science- and evidence-based solutions for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals for leaving no one behind,” the consultation brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo states.
This was contained in a statement issued to the media by the SA Media, OSSAP-SDG, Desmond Utomwen.
Speaking at the event, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, stated that the consultation aims to review Nigeria’s 2024 SDGs progress report. She highlighted key areas of focus, including institutional frameworks, progress on the 17 SDGs, lessons learned, implementation challenges, and key recommendations.
Orelope-Adefulire, who was represented by her Senior Technical Adviser, Dr Bala Yunusa, referenced the Sustainable Development Goals Report (2024), which identified a global lack of progress towards the SDGs, with only 17 percent of targets currently on track. She stressed the need for renewed commitment and transformative actions to accelerate progress towards achieving the goals.
She noted:
“To date, 366 VNRs have been conducted and presented by 191 countries, with 138 countries having conducted more than one VNR. Nigeria has previously presented two VNRs, in 2017 and 2020. This year, Nigeria will present its third VNR alongside 38 other countries.Conceptually, the VNRs are most useful when conducted through an inclusive, broad-based, and participatory process. This is why we are here—to consult widely with key stakeholders across all segments of society.”
She further explained that following the Lagos launch, consultations would be held in Uyo (South South), Enugu (South East), Gombe (North East), Kaduna (North West), and Abuja (North Central), culminating in a National Validation event in Abuja.
Orelope-Adefulire highlighted that since 2016, Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) (2017-2020), the Economic Sustainability Plan (2020), the National Poverty Reduction with Growth Strategy (2021), and the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2021-2025) have all been aligned with the SDGs. She emphasised that these goals are also embedded in President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In her remarks, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on SDGs, Dr Oreoluwa Finnih, stated that the review is aimed at advancing collective actions to improve Nigeria’s ranking among the top performers in the global SDG framework.
She noted that Lagos State has consistently driven SDG implementation efforts, leveraging evidence-based decision-making to enhance impact.
“The Lagos State Voluntary Local Review (VLR) conducted in 2023 stands as a testament to this commitment, providing periodic assessments of our progress and significantly influencing policies and decisions under the leadership of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. The state’s policies are now more aligned with international development targets, with improved resource allocation, increased inter-agency collaboration, and enhanced participatory governance achieved through the VLR exercise.”
She added that Lagos remains a beacon of subnational leadership in SDG localisation, fostering strategic partnerships and innovative solutions. She described the VNR as a crucial mechanism for SDG implementation, enabling both national and subnational governments to periodically assess progress, identify gaps, strengthen accountability, and promote scalable innovations.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Ogun State Governor on SDGs and Water Resources, Mrs Damilola Otubanjo, underscored the significance of the VNR in ensuring full implementation of the SDGs. She emphasised that the process must represent the interests of all Nigerians, as it highlights key challenges and outlines pathways for Nigeria’s global positioning in sustainable development.
Also speaking at the event, the Director of the Centre for Actualisation of SDGs at Lagos State University (LASU), Professor Tayo Ajayi, noted that since the United Nations launched the SDGs in 2015, Nigeria has mainstreamed them at the national level, with Lagos State playing a pivotal role.
Ajayi stated that since its establishment in 2022, the centre has organised two international conferences on SDG implementation, launched the LASU SDGs Youth Club with over 3,500 members, and is now advancing its efforts through the LASU Sustainability Policy to further institutionalize the SDGs within the university.
By Amos Tauna, Kaduna
The former Governor of Plateau state and Senator representing Plateau South Senatorial District, Mr. Simon Bako Lalong, has congratulated Rev. John joseph Hayab on his recent election as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
In a congratulatory letter to the chairman, Lalong said, “I received with immense joy and gladness the news of your election as the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the 19 Northern states.
“Your well deserved election is a testimony of your commitment to the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and a vindication of your years of labour in the Lord’s vineyard.”
Lalong explained that the chairman of the Northern states has earned through the grace of God, a place of pride within the body of Christ in the northern region, Nigeria and the world at large by his sacrifices, adding that he hà also ensured labour and hardworking in propagating the gospel of salvation and touching humanity positively.
According to the former Governor, “With your election as the Christian Association of Nigeria chairman of the 19 Northern states, l have no doubt that you will bring to bear your capacity to work with all the Christian blocks in protecting the interests of the Christian community and also enhancing peaceful coexistence, respect and collaboration with other Faith’s.”
He prayed that his tenure would usher in more love, prosperity and deepening of the word of God in the region to the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lalong assured, “Be assured that l shall continue to pray for you and offer support in whatever way the Lord Grant’s me the opportunity.”
As Nigerians observe the sacred periods of Lent and Ramadan, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire has called on citizens to use this time for deep reflection, compassion, and commitment to societal peace and justice.
The Lenten and Ramadan seasons, both marked by fasting, prayer, and acts of charity, offer a unique opportunity to strengthen moral values that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 16, which focuses on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Speaking on the significance of these holy periods, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, emphasised that fasting is not only a spiritual exercise but also a means to cultivate discipline, empathy, and service to humanity. She encouraged Nigerians to extend kindness to the less privileged and work towards building a society free of violence, corruption, and injustice, while promoting an atmosphere for prosperity for the people.
“These sacred periods remind us of the power of self-restraint, forgiveness, and community spirit. As we seek divine blessings and prosperity through prayer and fasting, we must also dedicate ourselves to promoting peace, fairness, and the rule of law,” she stated.
A statement issued by her Special Assistant on Media, Desmond Utomwen noted that Goal 16 of the SDGs highlights the need for inclusive and peaceful societies, access to justice for all, and accountable institutions. By fostering values of honesty, integrity, and reconciliation during Lent and Ramadan, individuals can contribute to national stability and sustainable development.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire further stressed the role of religious and community leaders in advancing these ideals. “Faith leaders have a critical role in shaping attitudes and inspiring positive action. Their messages of peace and tolerance can help unite communities and reduce conflicts,” she said.
The SSAP-SDGs reaffirmed the commitment of her Office to implementing policies and initiatives that uphold justice and human dignity, urging all Nigerians to embrace the spirit of the season beyond religious obligations and work towards a more equitable and peaceful nation.
“As believers observe these periods of fasting and prayer, the call to action remains clear—let the spiritual renewal lead to transformative change in communities, fostering a Nigeria where peace and justice prevail”. She concluded.