The National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN) has vowed to resist any attempt to manipulate Nigeria’s cashew development roadmap, warning that such actions would undermine farmers’ interests and the integrity of the sector.

The association made the declaration in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), held alongside the 4th Nigeria Cashew Day.

The event, themed “Unlocking the Full Potential of Nigeria’s Cashew Industry through Investment, Innovation and Global Trade,” was jointly organised by NCAN and the African Cashew Alliance.

The communiqué, jointly signed by NCAN National President, Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku; National Secretary, Engr. Unekwuojo Augustine Edime; Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Mr. Sunday Uzoechi; and BoT Secretary, Mr. Abraham Adesina, announced the expulsion of Mr. Ademola Adesokan over alleged impersonation and unconstitutional activities.

According to the AGM, Adesokan was expelled for unlawfully convening a purported Interim Executive Council and an unauthorised AGM in Lagos on January 20, 2026. The association said his actions violated the NCAN Constitution.

The AGM noted that Adesokan, who joined the association in June 2025, allegedly attempted to assume leadership roles and organise electoral processes within three months of registration. NCAN’s constitution requires that members must have paid dues for at least two consecutive years and actively participated in association activities before contesting or holding executive office.

The AGM further resolved to convene a broad stakeholders’ meeting across the cashew value chain to review the cashew roadmap before validation.

It warned that any clandestine review or collusion by individuals or organisations to influence the document would be resisted through all available legal and regulatory means.

The association recalled that Adesokan had recently claimed to be the elected National President of NCAN, a claim the AGM dismissed as false.

NCAN also called for an investigation into Mr. Babalola Faseru over alleged collaboration with Adesokan in activities deemed illegal and contrary to the association’s constitution, with possible disciplinary action to be considered at the next AGM.

The AGM acknowledged the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NCAN and the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS) and resolved to ensure timely implementation of the agreed framework.

It also endorsed the 500 million cashew seedling production and distribution project for 2026, led by the Office of the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, building on the 120,000 seedlings distributed by NCAN in 2025.

The National President was mandated to liaise with the Vice President’s Office to advance cashew production nationwide.

Meanwhile, stakeholders at the Cashew Summit resolved to sustain industry growth through a balanced, market-driven framework that expands production, safeguards farmer incomes, and accelerates domestic value addition.

They called for urgent scaling of domestic processing capacity through public-private partnerships, improved access to finance, reliable energy, and efficient trade and logistics infrastructure.

Investors were also urged to explore opportunities across the cashew value chain, including processing, storage, logistics, product diversification, and AfCFTA-enabled regional trade.