Nigeria advances bill to mandate 20% cassava inclusion in wheat flour production
NIGERIA – The Nigerian Senate has passed a bill for a second reading that seeks to include 20 percent high-quality cassava flour in wheat used in edible flour production across Nigeria or imported into the country.
This initiative, the Cassava Flour (Mandatory Inclusion in Flour Production) Bill, 2023, aims to bolster local agriculture while reducing reliance on costly imports.
During the debate, Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC, Kwara Central), who sponsored the bill, emphasized its potential to address Nigeria’s staggering wheat import bill, which exceeds US$3 billion annually.
By incorporating cassava into wheat production, the senator argued, the country could alleviate its dependence on foreign supplies, enhance economic stability, and create opportunities for local farmers and industries.
Senator Mustapha highlighted Nigeria’s unique position as the world’s leading cassava producer, with over 63 million metric tonnes of annual output as of 2021.
He noted that this abundant local resource presents a strategic advantage in reducing production costs while meeting growing domestic and international demand for cassava products.
The senator pointed to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict as a key factor exacerbating global wheat prices, making alternative solutions like the inclusion of cassava flour even more urgent.
He warned that continued reliance on wheat imports threatens Nigeria’s economy by deepening trade imbalances and perpetuating dependence on foreign food supplies.
The proposed bill seeks to establish a legal and regulatory framework to enforce cassava inclusion, ensuring a structured approach to its adoption in the flour production industry.
It also aims to stimulate job creation, encourage cassava farming, and expand Nigeria’s share of the global cassava market. If enacted, the legislation could unlock significant economic benefits, from reducing foreign exchange expenditures on imports to creating a sustainable market for cassava flour.
In outlining the bill’s objectives, Senator Mustapha stressed the importance of developing regulations to guide the proportion of cassava flour in wheat products. He argued that this move would not only benefit farmers and processors but also help the nation achieve greater self-reliance in food production.
This comes at a time when the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO), and the Premium Breadmakers Association of Nigeria (PBAN) have also highlighted the urgent need to integrate affordable, locally sourced ingredients into Nigeria’s bread value chain, with cassava flour as a key alternative.
“Nigeria is the largest cassava producer globally, giving us a clear advantage.Our research proves cassava flour’s viability, but successful implementation requires the collaboration of bakers and stakeholders,” said Dr. Adetokunbo Osibanjo, Deputy Director at FIIRO.
Tracing FIIRO’s cassava bread innovation back to the 1990s, Osibanjo lamented its slow adoption.
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