Nigeria’s groundnut production has risen significantly, reaching over 5 million metric tons in 2024, up from 4.8 million metric tons in 2021. Demand for the crop has also surged, nearing 4.8 million tons annually, compared to 4.4 million tons in 2017.
Groundnuts, which are widely used in industries for producing groundnut oil, peanut butter, chocolates, and other products, continue to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s economy. Despite the decline of the famous groundnut pyramids in northern Nigeria, the crop’s potential for industrial use and consumption remains strong, particularly among health-conscious Nigerians.
Abdulrazaq Usman Muhammad, acting national president of the National Groundnut Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NGROPPMAN), emphasized the crop’s enduring importance. “Nigeria currently produces more groundnuts than during the pyramid era. Groundnut still contributes to the country’s GDP, but the challenge is that we are neglected. There is hardly any tangible support that comes our way,” he said.
The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) highlights that ten states, including Kano, Niger, Kaduna, and others, are the leading groundnut producers in Nigeria. The Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) notes that Nigeria has been cultivating groundnuts since 1912, becoming the third-largest producer globally and the largest in Africa. Despite the decline of the groundnut pyramids, Nigeria remains Africa’s top producer.
Groundnuts are increasingly used in food production, with industries manufacturing chocolates, milk, chutney, and other products. There is also growing demand for exports, particularly to Europe, says Ike Ibeabuchi, a former manufacturer.
Historically, Nigeria’s groundnut production in the 1960s to mid-1970s was sufficient for both domestic consumption and export. However, challenges such as the dissolution of marketing boards, drought, and the groundnut rosette virus in the 1980s and 1990s led to a decline in output. Muhammad, however, credited research institutions for overcoming many of these past issues, noting that while challenges like poor distribution, high production costs, and climate change remain, the sector has seen improvements.
Despite these ongoing obstacles, Nigeria’s groundnut sector remains vital to both the economy and the agricultural industry, with untapped potential for future growth and development.
