ZARIA, Kaduna State, Jan. 25, 2026 (Naija247news) – Nigeria is set to launch its maiden cloves farming initiative, targeting over 74,000 farmers nationwide, in a programme designed to boost foreign exchange earnings, youth employment, and agricultural diversification.
The announcement was made by Malam Abdullahi Shuaibu, National Coordinator of the Cloves Producers, Processors, and Marketers Association of Nigeria, at the conclusion of the North-West Farmers Training of Trainers Workshop held at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, on Saturday.
Shuaibu said the initiative will involve 2,000 farmers from each of Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with each participant receiving quality seeds and essential farming inputs to cultivate half a hectare of clove farm during the 2026 wet season.
“Cloves are a tropical plant capable of thriving across many parts of Nigeria,” Shuaibu said. “This initiative is designed to tap into the huge domestic and international demand for cloves, particularly from food and pharmaceutical industries. Nigeria will become the second African country after Zanzibar, Tanzania, to produce cloves commercially. This promises to be a game-changer in foreign exchange earnings and youth employment.”
Regional support and empowerment
Hajiya Maijidda Abdulkadir, State Treasurer of the association’s Kaduna chapter, said Kaduna, already a leader in ginger production, would fully embrace the programme. She highlighted the initiative’s focus on poverty reduction, job creation, and women’s empowerment, ensuring inclusive participation across all social groups.
Abdulkadir also confirmed that the scheme had secured improved clove seeds from Tanzania and urged state governments to provide full support to the programme.
Alhaji Aminu-Yahaya Masanawa, Financial Adviser to the association, said cloves production is more profitable than grains and many other vegetable crops, providing farmers with a buffer against sudden price crashes in other commodities. “Once production begins, Nigeria will shift from being a net importer to a potential exporter of cloves, generating additional foreign exchange revenue,” he added.
Supporting the initiative, Prof. Mukhtar Abdullah of IAR, ABU, unveiled a comprehensive training manual on clove cultivation, which provides step-by-step guidance for farmers, extension agents, and agripreneurs. The manual covers cultivation practices, market analysis, and international best practices.
Shuaibu emphasised that the programme offers broader socio-economic benefits, including rural economic empowerment, enhanced food security, and sustainable income generation for youth and women across the country.
