Cashew stakeholders move to address leadership crisis
Stakeholders of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) have convened an extraordinary general meeting to address the ongoing leadership dispute within the association. The association has recently experienced internal disagreements that have led to divisions among stakeholders in the industry. Speaking at the meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment […]
Stakeholders of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) have convened an extraordinary general meeting to address the ongoing leadership dispute within the association.
The association has recently experienced internal disagreements that have led to divisions among stakeholders in the industry.
Speaking at the meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) in Abuja, the President of the association, Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, said the sector holds significant potential that requires collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that smallholder cashew farmers benefit fully.
The event brought together representatives from Kogi, Edo, Kwara, Benue, Enugu, Abia, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kano, Zamfara, Kebbi, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasarawa, and Niger States to deliberate on governance and institutional matters affecting the association.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting and signed by ten state representatives, the stakeholders appealed to relevant authorities to remain neutral while the issues are being resolved.
The communiqué also affirmed that “Dr Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, the subsisting president of NCAN, is designated as the Enforcement Authority responsible for the implementation of all resolutions.”
Following deliberations on communications from the Board of Trustees and the Legal Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the meeting resolved that stakeholders would formally write to the Honourable Minister, requesting ministerial neutrality pending judicial determination of the leadership dispute within NCAN.
The meeting further mandated its legal counsel to continue proceedings to set aside or vacate the consent judgment of 2019 where it is considered inconsistent with current governance realities.
The stakeholders reaffirmed that the Annual General Meeting/Extraordinary General Meeting remains the supreme authority of the association, with all organs, including the Board of Trustees, subject to its resolutions.
They emphasised the need for dialogue, transparency, and adherence to due process in resolving the dispute, noting that unity within the association is essential for the growth and sustainability of Nigeria’s cashew industry.