A group of the National Bambara Nut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association (NABAPPMA) has pledged to scale up Bambara nut production across Nigeria’s 774 local government areas as part of a national strategy to combat hunger and reduce poverty.

The association also stressed that Nigeria’s current economic realities demand bold and unified action.

The newly elected President of the association, Hon. Suleiman Isiaka Okutepa, disclosed this in Abuja, on the sidelines of NABAPPMA second national election.

He said: “I will move Bambara nuts to the next level. Every part of this country will experience booming production for the benefit of our people and government.”

Okutepa expressed gratitude for the trust placed in him by the association’s members, describing the position as “a big cap to wear” and vowing to justify the confidence reposed in him.

A major priority for his tenure, he assured restructuring of the association’s membership system and the establishment of a task force to drive effective coordination and performance monitoring.

He added, “In the past, many cooperative groups couldn’t even save ₦100,000. But under my leadership, they now save ₦200,000 or ₦300,000 without any complications. That’s the level of transformation we’re bringing, and I intend to take this even further to reach the common man and reduce poverty. This aligns with our motto: ‘Solution to world hunger.’

“The country’s current economic challenges demand strategic intervention. We cannot continue with a fragmented approach. Our first step will be to harmonize our membership structure. Once that is achieved, we can begin to define our priorities and next steps.

“Our plan is to expand our reach from the national to the state level, then to local governments, and finally down to the grassroots. We aim to strengthen our networks and engage with economic stakeholders at every level, from local communities to state governments, to ensure every actor in the value chain is properly mobilized.”

Okutepa also unveiled plans to establish a permanent national headquarters for NABAPPMA in Kado Estate, Abuja, describing it as a step toward institutional stability and professionalization.

He reaffirmed the economic potential of Bambara nut, especially for smallholder farmers, stating that it holds the power to lift millions of households out of poverty.

Also speaking at the event, newly elected Deputy Vice President Dr Anthony Nwafor said the association is working to integrate Bambara nut into the national school feeding programme.

Nwafor said: “Bambara is food for all ages. Its nutritional and economic value makes it perfect for schools and homes. We’ve advanced to using improved seeds. Production is our top priority.”

He emphasized the importance of production, noting that although the association is active in marketing and processing, farming remains the backbone of its value chain.

He praised NABAPPMA contribution to national GDP and forecasted even greater impact in the coming years.