FG Recognises Ademola Adesokan As NCAN President, Ends Leadership Crisis

News in Brief:

—Nigeria's Ministry of Industry has formally recognised Ademola Adesokan as the substantive National President of the cashew association.

—Adesokan will serve a 2026–2029 term, a development expected to end the association’s leadership crisis and allow stakeholders to focus on growing the cashew industry.

The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has formally recognised Mr Ademola Adesokan as the substantive President of the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN). This announcement formally concludes the dispute between Adesokan and the former NCAN President, Mr Ojo Ajanaku, regarding the validity of his leadership.

The Ministry’s Commodities and Export Department announced this development in a letter signed by Mr Obasi Edmund on behalf of the Permanent Secretary, FMITI, and addressed to the chairman of the NCAN Board of Trustees. 

According to the letter, the ministry said the approval followed a consent judgment delivered on November 9, 2019 (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/439/2016), which directed NCAN to revert to its 2007 constitution under which Adesokan and the present leadership were elected.

Tenure Details and Ministry’s Instruction

According to the ministry’s communication, Adesokan’s tenure is effective from January 20 and will run to January 19, 2029, after an initial three‑year term. FMITI also urged NCAN’s Board of Trustees and members to accept the president and support him in discharging his responsibilities, underlining the ministry’s expectation of compliance.

The leadership of NCAN has been a subject of internal disputes for months as the former President of the association, Mr Ojo Ajanaku, and Adesokan simultaneously lay claim to the association’s presidency.

Adesokan’s claim to the presidency has been anchored on the FCT High Court's consent judgment, earlier stated, which affirmed the validity of NCAN’s 2007 constitution and, according to Adesokan’s camp, set timetable limits on prior officeholders’ tenure. 

This official recognition follows public statements and internal disputes within NCAN, including reports of meetings, expulsions and counter-claims by other leaders, which have complicated the association’s governance in recent months.

Reactions and Implications for the Cashew Sector

The ministry copied the recognition letter to the National President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN) and to Adesokan, signalling the federal government’s intention to align commodity-sector bodies with recognised leadership structures. 

Industry stakeholders say stable leadership is crucial as cashew remains one of Nigeria’s key agricultural export commodities. The sector is currently navigating policy debates, including proposals that could affect raw cashew exports, jobs, and farmer incomes, making effective leadership essential for driving growth and addressing emerging challenges.