Recently, information filtered out that the Sokoto state government had begun moves to plant moringa oleifera on 7000 hectares of land in the Wurno local government area of the state. This got me thinking. 7000 hectares of moringa plant should be insane. But it takes people who are capable of thinking outside the box to be insanely creative. Though the state government is undertaking this project in association with the World Bank titled ACReSAL –Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscape, it is instructive that it has its full blessing and commitment. The programme targets land areas that are heavily impacted by climate change. And, the Wurno local government area of Sokoto state falls in the mix. For this, the state government had committed some N1b, as its counterpart fund, towards achieving the proposed target.
Sokoto is best suited for this project because moringa are adaptable to semi-arid environments and are drought-resistant because they can store up water in their roots, stems and leaves which helps them to survive drought. Established moringa trees can survive several years without water. However, the ACReSAL project plans to include a water project that would help to irrigate the 7000 hectares of land. This is also an encouragement to farmers in the region for whom the irrigation, via dam construction, is an added advantage.
My take here is not necessarily about the World Bank programme, but about the fact that the state government had made itself a willing partner in developing a new forest of over 7000 hectares (about 70,000,000 square meters) of semi-arid land. I can’t wrap my imagination around how many moringa trees will be planted on 7000 hectares of land. However, estimates about planting options indicate that for 7000 hectares, the state could be planting about 2.8 million trees, if it goes by the low-density plant spacing option, or, 70 million trees if it adopts a moderate-density plant spacing option. Low-density spacing can accommodate 400 trees per hectare while moderate plant spacing can take about 10,000 trees per hectare.
Each of these options has its benefits. Low density spacing is said to be most appropriate for agroforestry and good enough for moringa seed production while moderate density is most suitable for commercial leaf production. My inquiries indicate that a well-managed moringa plantation can yield between 10 to 20 tons of fresh leaves per hectare annually after the first year while 15 tons of fresh leaves can give a yield of between 2.5 to 3 tons of dried leaves per hectare. There is an indication that in 2023, dried moringa leaves sold between $2 to $5 per kilogramme in African markets with the international market selling at between $10 to $15 per kilogramme. The demand is expected to rise because of the growing demand, the world over, for organic food and herbs.
The plant’s reputation as a nutrient-dense superfood continues to drive its popularity, particularly among health-conscious consumers. Its high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds aligns with the global shift toward preventive healthcare and natural remedies. 2025 projections for the plant indicate high global demand intensifies as awareness grows about its potential to address nutritional deficiencies, boost immunity, and support overall well-being. The demand for moringa-based dietary supplements, such as leaf powder and capsules, is a significant growth driver, especially in North America and Europe, where plant-based products are gaining traction. Financial analysts also estimate that one hectare of moringa can generate an annual revenue yield of between $15 billion and $18 billion by 2030. This is up from between $8 billion and $9 billion in 2023. These projections are supported by rising demands, which are outpacing supply. Note that the value of moringa is not only about its leaves and seeds. The demand for Moringa oil is also in high demand in Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe and Africa.
So, either way, Sokoto state is solving an environmental challenge by using what has become its problem to create wealth for its people. This is thinking outside the box. With 7000 hectares of moringa, and looking at a yield from the first year of planting, the state has primed itself for massive export of moringa products with an eye on income that could surpass what it gets from its share of Value Added Tax (VAT) from the federation.
To derive the benefits that accrue from its moringa forest, the state government must also look at industrializing the value chain of the moringa bush. This means creating the capacity to process yield from its moringa forest, by way of packaging the dried leaves, for export and local consumption. It ought to also explore ways of extracting oil from moringa seeds for export. The difference that the state will make lies in the value chain that it creates for moringa. This value chain will also create jobs for its people and encourage more farmers to explore moringa cultivation.
What the emerging moringa forest in Sokoto indicates is that states in Nigeria can, while looking at proceeds from oil, also develop the capacity to boost their development drawing from their areas of comparative advantage. This is what will lead to the rapid development of the states; not necessarily having governors who sit around Abuja, cap in hand, waiting for their share of their states from the federation account. This is the difference that Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto is making in Sokoto state. Pragmatically, Governor Aliyu Sokoto states that leadership is about leading people to discover their potential and build themselves from there.
The moringa forest will translate into many more developments for Sokoto state. This is because, besides nutrition and the rise of vegan and plant-based diets, there is a growing trend in Europe and America where moringa is increasingly incorporated into functional foods like smoothies, energy bars, and meat alternatives. Also, many companies are innovating with moringa in cosmetics (e.g., oils and skincare products for their moisturizing and anti-ageing properties) and pharmaceuticals (e.g., supplements targeting diabetes or inflammation). Technological advancements in extraction and formulation are enhancing bioavailability, leading to new product lines like moringa teas, fortified beverages, and even water purification solutions using seed extracts. This diversification is an added advantage to Sokoto state as it expands the potential of the moringa market and impacts positively on the state’s IGR. This is a leadership vision –to create value where there seems to be none.