National Chairman of the association, Chief Okey Ikoro. Photo credit: Arise News
The Vegetable and Edible Oil Producers Association of Nigeria has raised concerns over what it described as the unchecked influx of imported vegetable oil into the country, blaming regulatory agencies for failing to adequately protect local manufacturers.
The National President of the association, Okey Ikoro, made the disclosure at a press conference in Owerri, the Imo State capital, on Monday.
Ikoro said the relevant agencies had failed in their responsibilities to curb the importation of refined vegetable oil, which he said was having both financial consequences for indigenous producers and health implications for consumers.
He said since 2024, there had been an unchecked influx of refined vegetable oil from other countries into Nigeria, adding that the development had pushed many of his members into debt and forced several businesses to shut down.
