Kogi State Government Flags off 2026 Cashew Season

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

Kogi State Government has taken steps to improve production, processing and packaging of cashew to make it a major revenue earner while generating millions of jobs for its citizens.

Governor Usman Ododo made this known at the Luguard’s House during the Flag off of the 2026 Cashew season and unveiling of the State’s procurement policy in Lokoja.

Nigeria’s cashew production currently ranks as the fourth largest in the world with 450,000 metric tones and export value exceeding 700 million dollars.

Kogi State remains the leading producer of cashew in Nigeria with its prominence both at local and international markets.

While flagging-off the 2026 cashew season in Lokoja, the Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo also launched the free distribution of hybrid cashew seedlings to registered farmers across the State, to boost production.

He reiterates his administration’s commitment to the procurement policy which he says is to promote value addition through processing, packaging and branding as well as to strengthen revenue generation for the overall socio-economic development of the State.

Director General Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency Adewale Victor Omofaiye and other stakeholders describe the event as timely, adding that it is all about productivity, quality, market access and shared prosperity.

The programme is organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency signaling the official commencement of this year’s Cashew business in Kogi State.