By Abuja, Nigeria
In a bid to transition Nigeria from an observer to a permanent member of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, on Friday 20th February 2026 received in audience the Secretary-General of the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), Izzana Salleh and members of the delegation, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tafawa Balewa House, Abuja,
In a statement issued today by the Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the meeting, attended by senior officials of the Ministry and representatives of member countries of the Council, underscored the growing importance of palm oil diplomacy in global trade, food security, sustainability, and economic development.
Addressing the Minister, Salleh outlined the mandate of the (CPOPC), describing it as an intergovernmental organization, representing major palm oil producing countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Honduras, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. She explained that while the Council does not regulate production quotas like OPEC, it plays a critical diplomatic and advocacy role in addressing trade barriers, regulatory challenges, and sustainability narratives affecting palm oil on the global stage.
The Secretary-General announced that the Council’s ministerial leadership had agreed to waive Nigeria’s membership fees for two years should it transition to full membership, adding that the move is a strategic move to enable Nigeria to integrate quickly into the Council’s multilateral advocacy framework and strengthen collective representation on global agricultural and trade matters.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Foreign Affairs observed that palm oil historically underpinned industrial development in Europe and remains vital to food production, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and manufacturing. The Minister also stated that for Nigeria, palm oil is not merely an agricultural product but a cornerstone of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic diversification. 
Ambassador Tuggar described Nigeria’s potential membership of the CPOPC as a strategic step aligned with the administration’s priorities of food security, economic growth, and youth employment. He emphasized that joining the Council would strengthen Nigeria’s voice in global commodity diplomacy and position the country to benefit from coordinated advocacy, sustainability frameworks, and technical cooperation.
