Nigeria plans to launch its first nationwide commercial clove cultivation campaign during the 2026 rainy season, which typically begins in April, officials. The initiative aims to reduce imports, boost exports, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in the global clove market, currently valued at billions of dollars.
Abdullahi Shuaibu, national coordinator of the National Association of Clove Farmers, Processors and Marketers, announced the campaign at an event in Zaria, Kaduna State. According to Shuaibu, 74,000 farmers across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will participate in the programme, each cultivating 0.5 hectares using improved seeds and agricultural inputs supplied under the initiative.
The campaign seeks to meet rising domestic demand, currently met largely through imports, and to establish Nigeria as the second African country, after Tanzania, to produce cloves on a commercial scale. “This programme is designed to stimulate local production, substitute imports, and create a sustainable export pathway for Nigerian cloves,” Shuaibu said.
Trade data show Nigeria imported an average of 1,184 tonnes of cloves annually between 2020 and 2024, peaking at 3,886 tonnes in 2021. The cost of imports averaged around $1 million per year, with a high of US$2.4 million in 2021. Officials hope that by mobilising a large number of farmers and providing modern agricultural inputs, Nigeria can reduce reliance on foreign supplies and retain value within the local economy.
The initiative also targets the global clove market, which is forecast to grow steadily over the coming years. According to market intelligence firm Mordor, the global clove market was valued at US$5.7 billion in 2025 and is expected to expand at an average annual rate of 5.3 percent to reach US$7.2 billion by 2030. Major demand is driven by Indonesia’s kretek tobacco industry, as well as increasing use of cloves in food preservation, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.
While precise production forecasts for Nigeria’s inaugural nationwide campaign have not been disclosed, officials indicated that scaling up cultivation over successive seasons is part of the long-term plan. The success of the initiative will depend on farmers’ adoption of best practices, efficient supply chains, and investment in post-harvest processing and marketing.
Analysts noted that Nigeria’s efforts to build a competitive clove industry echo previous successes in other spice sectors, such as ginger, where coordinated production and export strategies helped the country gain a foothold in international markets. However, replicating that success with cloves will require sustained support for farmers, technical expertise, and access to both domestic and international buyers.
The government’s programme comes amid broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reduce dependence on imports for high-value crops. By fostering local production, authorities hope to generate employment, increase rural incomes, and capture a share of fast-growing export markets.
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If successful, Nigeria could emerge as a significant clove producer in Africa, joining Tanzania in commercial-scale cultivation and contributing to the diversification of the country’s agricultural exports. The nationwide campaign is expected to provide a foundation for long-term growth in the sector, while also supporting local farmers and enhancing food and industrial supply chains across Nigeria.
Applications for farmer participation are expected to be coordinated through state agricultural offices, with technical support and input distribution scheduled ahead of the April planting season.
