By Gloria Ikibah
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has written to the House of Representatives requesting a suspension of legislative action on the National Cocoa Management Board Establishment Bill, 2025, which he had earlier urged the lawmakers to swiftly pass.
The President’s latest letter signed by President Tinubu was read at on Thursday during plenary, marks a surprising turn from his earlier call for expedited consideration of the bill, which seek to create a regulatory body to oversee, promote, and harmonise cocoa-related activities across Nigeria. 
In his initial correspondence to the House, President Tinubu had described the proposed board as key to revitalising the cocoa industry, improving quality standards, and strengthening Nigeria’s participation in the global cocoa economy.
That appeal was made “pursuant to section 58, subsection 2 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended,” where he urged the legislature to treat the bill with urgency.
However, in the latest communication, the President requested that the House “stand down legislative actions on that bill”, citing the need for further consultations before proceeding.
The letter read:
“I write to refer to the Cocoa Management Board Establishment Bill, 2025 earlier transmitted to the House of Representatives, and to request that the Right Honourable Speaker kindly stand down legislative actions on that bill. This is to enable further consultations. While I thank the House of Representatives for its usual cooperation, please accept, Honourable Speaker, the assurances of my consideration and personal regards.”
The National Cocoa Management Board Bill, if enacted, would have replaced the defunct Cocoa Marketing Board, which was scrapped in the 1980s following sectoral reforms. The proposed legislation aimed to coordinate the cocoa value chain, support farmers, and regulate exports in a bid to reposition Nigeria among the world’s leading cocoa producers.
Political analysts say the President’s latest move may signal fresh discussions with stakeholders in the cocoa industry, including state governments, exporters, and farmers’ associations, to ensure broader input and avoid policy pitfalls seen in previous commodity board arrangements.
