In northern Nigeria, farmers cultivate thriving groundnuts, increasing production from 4.4 million tonnes in 2017 to 5 million tonnes in 2025.
Rise In Groundnuts Production
According to Chinedu Agbaji of AFAN, poor storage after harvest, not planting, limits the sector’s growth.
Moreover, aflatoxin, a toxic mould, contaminates many peanuts, with up to half of samples exceeding safe limits.
Health And Profit Risks
This contamination threatens health, causing liver damage, immune suppression, and, in severe cases, death.
Meanwhile, processors like Dennison Terkohol struggle.
Farmers sell raw peanuts cheaply because they lack proper equipment.
Consequently, Nigeria exported $1.2 million of peanuts in 2023, yet imported $6.6 million worth of peanut products.
Opportunities And Solutions
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Despite challenges, small-scale processors achieve success.
For instance, Dennison earns ₦13,000 by roasting just 4kg of peanuts.
Similarly, CEO of Kembeth Peanut Crunchy, Emmanuel Oluwakemi produces coated peanuts, generating small daily profits that steadily grow her business.
Experts identify weak coordination, high input costs, low output incentives, and supply chain gaps as major obstacles.
Therefore, Agbaji urges investment in storage infrastructure and post-harvest funding.
Oluwakemi adds that small machinery and bulk purchases allow small processors to increase profits.
Overall, Nigeria’s groundnuts show clear potential, but poor infrastructure and support prevent farmers from seizing global opportunities.