Otunba Adekunle Lawal Adefemi Bags Distinguished Ondo State Cocoa Merit Award as Experts X-ray Global Cocoa Price Crisis
By Democrat News Magazine
Akure, Ondo State | December 28, 2025
It was a moment of pride, celebration, and deep reflection on the future of Nigeria’s cocoa industry as Democrat News Magazine honoured one of Ondo State’s finest sons, Otunba Adekunle Lawal Adefemi, with the Distinguished Ondo State Cocoa Merit Award at a well-attended ceremony held in, Akure, on Sunday 28th of December, 2025.
Otunba Adekunle Lawal Adefemi, a man widely admired for his vision, resilience, and uncommon enterprise, stands today as a glowing symbol of perseverance and integrity. Born about fifty-three years ago into the reputable family of the late Alhaji Adefemi Odide of Owo Local Government Area, his life story mirrors the timeless Ondo virtues of hard work, discipline, and foresight.
From his early education at AUD Primary School, Owo, through AUD Comprehensive High School, and later Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, where he obtained OND and HND in Business Administration, Otunba Adefemi consistently demonstrated a passion for growth and excellence. His compulsory NYSC service in Jalingo, Taraba State further shaped his worldview and strengthened his entrepreneurial resolve.
A natural-born businessman, Otunba Adefemi ventured into commerce long before completing tertiary education, inheriting a deep instinct for the automobile business from his late father. Starting modestly in 1994, his enterprise grew steadily, attaining large-scale operations by 2011. Today, his business vision extends beyond Nigeria, with strategic plans underway for international export, job creation, and economic contribution.
A devoted family man, Otunba Adefemi is happily married to Mrs. Ode Oladoyin Taiwo, and their children continue to reflect his values of discipline, mentorship, and responsibility. His extensive travels across America, Canada, Europe, and other regions of the world have further enriched his business outlook and global competitiveness.
In conferring the prestigious award, Democrat News Magazine described him as “a worthy ambassador of Ondo State’s entrepreneurial spirit and a beacon of hope to emerging business leaders.”
Earlier in the day, participants were intellectually engaged by a powerful public lecture titled: the Global Cocoa Price Crisis and Its Effects On Nigerian Farmers. Delivered by Engr. (Pastor) Ojo Peter Odesanmi, Chief Lecturer, Rufus Giwa Polytechnic (RUGIPO), Owo, the lecture offered a deep, balanced, and thought-provoking analysis of the challenges confronting Nigeria’s cocoa sector.
The speaker explained that while global cocoa prices surged to historic highs in 2024, reaching nearly $12,000 per metric ton, Nigerian farmers have largely failed to benefit due to structural weaknesses, poor farm-gate pricing, limited access to credit, and the dominance of middlemen.
Engr. Odesanmi identified major causes of the crisis, including climate change, pest and disease infestation, ageing plantations, high labour costs, poor infrastructure, insecurity, illegal cocoa trading, and weak regulatory frameworks. He lamented that many farmers are trapped in poverty despite favourable global prices, forcing some into deforestation in search of survival.
He proposed practical solutions such as:
- A flexible floor price system linked to global prices
- Accessible credit facilities for farmers
- Establishment of a National Cocoa Management Board
- Expansion of local processing industries
- Improved farmer education, security, and rural infrastructure
- Youth mobilization and incentive-based awards for outstanding farmers
He also applauded emerging initiatives like the Nestlé Income Accelerator Programme and the proposed National Cocoa Management Board, describing them as hopeful steps toward sustainable reform.
In his conclusion, Engr. Odesanmi emphasized that without fairer contracts, stronger governance, and better financing, Nigerian cocoa farmers will continue to suffer while the world enjoys expensive chocolate. He called on government, institutions, and stakeholders to urgently protect farmers’ interests and restore dignity to cocoa production.
The event ended on a high note, blending celebration with advocacy, as guests praised Democrat News Magazine for recognizing excellence and championing conversations critical to Ondo State’s economic future.