SPMEAN inaugurates new national leadership
* Targets value addition in Nigeria’s soyabean industry
Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin
The Soyabean Processors, Marketers and Exporters Association of Nigeria (SPMEAN) has inaugurated its national executives, with a commitment to repositioning the country’s soybean industry through value addition, improved processing and increased export opportunities.
The inauguration took place during the association’s formal flag-off ceremony and Annual General Meeting (AGM) held in Ilorin, Kwara State capital.
Speaking at the event, the National President of SPMEAN, Alhaji Moshood Shogo, described the occasion as a significant milestone in the development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly the non-oil export industry.
Shogo said soyabean had evolved from an ordinary agricultural commodity into a major foreign exchange earner, citing figures attributed to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which indicated that raw soybean exports generated N129bn in the first quarter of 2026, representing over 11 per cent of Nigeria’s agricultural exports.
He added that soyabean flour and meal exports generated another N53bn within the same period, bringing the sector’s contribution to more than N182bn.
“The growing global demand for soybean presents enormous economic opportunities for Nigeria, particularly in job creation, industrial development, transportation and improved livelihoods for smallholder farmers,” Shogo said.
He noted that establishing a strong operational base for SPMEAN would stimulate local economic activities, create employment opportunities for youths and encourage farmers to embrace profitable commercial agriculture.
The National President said the association’s vision was in alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, particularly the Federal Government’s drive to promote local processing, industrialisation and diversification of the economy.
He also referenced the recent visit by Vice President Kashim Shettima, alongside six state governors, including Kwara State Governor, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, to the Glo-Djigbé Industrial Zone (GDIZ) in Benin Republic.
Shogo said the visit underscored the need for Nigeria and other African countries to move beyond exporting raw agricultural commodities by investing in processing, packaging and value addition.
He stressed that SPMEAN was committed to advancing this vision by creating opportunities for local soybean processors, marketers, farmers and exporters.
Addressing the newly inaugurated executives, Shogo charged them to regard their positions as a responsibility to serve members rather than an opportunity for personal recognition.
He urged the executives to uphold transparency, accountability and inclusiveness, while remaining accessible to farmers, processors, marketers and exporters across the country.
He further called on members of the association to support the new leadership through cooperation, constructive feedback and commitment to maintaining high industry standards.
Congratulating the newly inaugurated executives, the SPMEAN president expressed optimism that unity, dedication and collective commitment would enable the association to achieve its objectives.
In his remarks, the Chairman for
SPMEAN Board of Trustees, Saka Kehinde Olushola, called for greater unity, collaboration and value addition among stakeholders in the country’s soyabean industry to strengthen its contribution to national economic development.
He noted that despite Nigeria’s position as one of Africa’s leading soyabean-producing countries, the industry had suffered from poor coordination among farmers, processors, marketers and exporters.
“SPMEAN was established to bridge the gap among stakeholders, provide a unified voice for engagement with the government, promote value addition, develop sustainable markets, boost export earnings and create employment opportunities, particularly for Nigerian youths,” he said.
Olushola promised that the association would work towards positioning Nigeria’s soyabean industry competitively on the global stage.
The Board of Trustees Chairman urged members of the national leadership of the association to discharge their responsibilities with integrity, transparency and inclusiveness.
Olushola identified key priorities to include expanding membership across the 36 states, engaging the Federal Government on favourable soyabean export policies and incentives, partnering with research institutions for improved seeds and production practices, and facilitating access to finance for members.
The AGM featured the swearing in ceremony of the new leadership of the association among other activities.
Newly inaugurated officials are President Alh Moshood Sogo; Vice president South West Alh Thabit Olofa; Vice President South East Emma Oruh; Vice President South South Honor Frank Ugbomhe; National Secretary Alh Sulaimon Asabe; National Organizing Secretary 1 Alh Badamosi; National Organizing Secretary 2 Abdulhamid Kaduna; National Treasurer Adewale Aremu; Public Relations Officer Nasiru Balogun; BOT Chairman Alh Olushola Saka and BOT Secretary Prince Akeeb Sulaimon.
