Nigeria has steadily increased its production of palm oil over the last five years, reaching 1.57 million tonnes in 2025.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries disclosed the information while on a mission in Abuja.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening technical and policy cooperation with Nigeria during the visit, emphasising supply chain integration, smallholder support, and oil palm output.

The development shows that, despite efforts to close a domestic supply gap, Nigeria has re-established cooperation with major palm oil-producing nations.

It also reflects increasing efforts to amplify Africa’s influence in global vegetable oil policy discussions.

According to Izzana Salleh, Secretary-General of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries, the engagement is a component of the council's larger objective to strengthen cooperation with African producers and assist Nigeria's long-term palm oil strategy.

She underlined that oil palm is indigenous to West Africa and mentioned that Nigeria used to be a world leader in the industry, emphasising that present initiatives should concentrate on improving future competitiveness.

"Producing countries may work together to create a more powerful and unified global voice. One that promotes food security, safeguards farmer livelihoods, and guarantees sustainable frameworks that are balanced and development-oriented.

"Recent data indicates positive momentum. From 1.28 million tonnes in 2020 to 1.57 million tonnes in 2025, Nigeria produced more palm oil.

“At the same time, domestic consumption has risen from 2.45 to 2.61 million tonnes, creating a supply gap that continues to be met through imports,” she said.

She added that the Council of CPOPC is prepared to assist Nigeria in increasing domestic production, enhancing food security, and developing a more competitive and sustainable palm oil value chain.

Also speaking, President of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria,

Dr Alphonsus Inyang, said Nigeria could benefit greatly from full membership in the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries.

According to him, such involvement would give access to cutting-edge technologies that could raise Nigeria's oil extraction ratio for both palm kernel and palm oil.

He stated that smallholder farmers, who account for the majority of the country's produce, will have access to capacity-building programs with full participation.

Nigeria might benefit from hybrid planting materials and technical support to increase yields, he continued.

Along the palm oil value chain, he added, tighter cooperation will foster information exchange and boost output.

Nigeria has the natural resources and historical know-how to manufacture palm oil locally, but instead spends $600 million annually on imports.