Nigerian cashew farmers are raising alarm over illicit exports that are draining the nation’s economy and threatening the industry. Under the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), the farmers have urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt illegal shipments that bypass proper documentation, leading to massive revenue losses.
Dr. Joseph Ajanaku, NCAN’s National President, expressed frustration over the situation, accusing corrupt officials within the Nigerian Customs Service of colluding with foreign traders to smuggle cashew nuts out of the country.
“Cashews are being exported through backdoor channels, and because they are not documented, Nigeria loses millions in potential revenue,” Ajanaku lamented. He revealed that freight forwarders facilitate these illegal exports by offering two pricing options—one for documented shipments and a cheaper rate for undocumented ones.
The cashew industry, a crucial foreign exchange earner for Nigeria, is now at risk of losing its competitive edge due to these illegal practices. Ajanaku urged the government to act swiftly by strengthening Customs oversight and ensuring all agricultural exports are properly accounted for.
“We need President Tinubu to take this matter seriously and block these unauthorized exports. If this continues, Nigeria will face worsening capital flight, making it harder for the government to generate foreign exchange,” he warned.
Additionally, Ajanaku accused international players of trying to undermine Nigeria’s cashew market by falsely claiming that the country produces only 100,000 metric tonnes annually. In contrast, he cited research from the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Service (NAERLS), which confirms that Nigeria’s cashew output exceeds 1 million metric tonnes.
He called on the Department of State Services (DSS) and Customs to work together to root out corrupt officials enabling these illegal exports, stressing that immediate action is needed to protect Nigeria’s cashew industry and economy.
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