N1.2bn Lost in 3 Weeks as Ghana Restricts Nigerian Onion Trucks, NOPPMAN Suspends Exports

From Bashir Rabe Mani, Sokoto

The National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN) says its members have lost more than N1.2 billion in three weeks following restrictions on Nigerian and Nigerien onion trucks at the Kotoku Market in Ghana.

NOPPMAN National President, Alhaji Aliyu Isah Maitasamu Isa, disclosed this on Sunday while addressing journalists in Sokoto.

According to him, the restrictions and delays have resulted in significant financial losses for onion exporters and transporters while exposing the highly perishable produce to deterioration.

Maitasamu said the association acknowledged interventions by the governments of Nigeria and Ghana, including efforts by Nigeria’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment and Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry.

He, however, said Nigerian onion trucks were still being prevented from offloading at the Kotoku Market despite previous resolutions reached by stakeholders.

“In the last three weeks alone, our members have lost over N1.2 billion worth of onions and transport costs. This is threatening the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and traders,” he said.

The NOPPMAN president announced that the association would suspend onion exports to Ghana and other affected countries until workable agreements were reached to address the dispute.

He clarified that the association’s concern was not with Ghanaian traders or citizens but with what he described as unilateral restrictions imposed by market actors, which he said contradicted agreements previously reached by stakeholders.

Maitasamu argued that no market association or group of traders should have the authority to unilaterally determine the movement, allocation or offloading of legitimate consignments originating from another ECOWAS member state.

NOPPMAN Seeks ECOWAS Intervention

The association called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to urgently intervene as a neutral mediator and facilitate a lasting resolution involving the governments of Nigeria and Ghana, relevant trade authorities and onion associations from both countries.

NOPPMAN also proposed the development of a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for cross-border onion trade, guided by the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional trade frameworks.

According to Maitasamu, the proposed agreement should establish clear rules on market access, truck movement, offloading, allocation of consignments and dispute resolution to prevent future detentions and disruptions.

“We are seeking a permanent and fair system. NOPPMAN remains ready to engage with all relevant stakeholders to establish a transparent and sustainable framework that protects legitimate traders while strengthening regional food security and intra-African trade,” he said.

Nigeria and Ghana are major participants in West Africa’s agricultural trade, with onions produced in states including Sokoto, Kano and Kebbi contributing significantly to food supplies in Ghana and other countries in the region.