Aniagu made this known at the sideline of the official inauguration of 11 new member associations to the National Commodity Associations of Nigeria in Abuja.

He said that Bambara nut was a food stuff high in protein, carbohydrate, fiber and other numerous mineral contents nature had established to ensure good healthy living for mankind.

“It is highly classified as good for all ages, best for growing children and older people.

“The nut is the solution to worldwide hunger and we pray that the Federal Government will extend its noble hands to states across the country.

“This will assist the Association to maximise the potential we anticipate in Bambara nut production, processing and marketing across the globe,” he said.

Speaking also, the National Secretary of NABAPPMA, Mr Suleiman Isyaka, said  the nut was rich in 65 per cent protein, some percentages of carbohydrate and other minerals.

Isyaka added that the Bambara nut was basically obtained in West Africa and did  not have any opposition from European countries due to nature of soil.

He said Nigeria was the largest marketer of bambara nut in Africa.

“The nut has been hidden for long and people use it but do not know where it originated from.

“But in 2019, the Federal Government came on board to have a regulatory body, from subsistence farming into commercialised business and also for export.

”So, we were inaugurated in the same year and we are happy that today we are now among the national association,” he said.

Also, Mr Bala Suleiman, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of NABAPPMAN, said they were glad the association was launched and hopeful that farmers would benefit as well as the nation.

He said that the association would endeavour to work for the better and for the country’s benefits.

“Today is a milestone for the association and we have been waiting for this launch for so long, so that our farmers too, can benefit from the investment we have done for long and also for the investment of the government to see to the success.

“To improve the quality of life for our farmers, to grow the economy of the nation and we are grateful and hopeful that it is launched.

“We pray that in the near future support from various sectors will come to enable us promote the association and increase the production of Bambara nut,” he said.

Also, Dr Anthony Nwafor, the National Treasurer of NABAPPMA and also one of the founding members of the association, said that Bamabara nut was food for all ages and food for all.

“Its economic value is unquantifiable, it is a massive export food potential and by the grace of God in a year or two it will be topping rice as the most popular food in Nigeria.

“You can use it for breakfast, like the (Okpa) that we all know , for lunch and dinner. Most importantly, is good for diabetic people and you know is a mega disease in our society due to lifestyle, food and by hereditary.

“Right now we have request from India , China that they need the nut and we are even running short of Producers (farmers) and I know why is due to the fact that we have not gone out to encourage people to start farming Bambara nut.

“We are expecting to raise five trillion in income from Bambara nut and that is why I said  in a year or two it will surpass rice,” he said.

Reports have it that the eleven associations launched today are; National Pepper Production Processors and Marketers Association and National Bambara Nut Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NABAPPMAN).

Others are National Timber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPPMAN), National Ogbono Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria.

National Fish Association of Nigeria (NFAN) and National Association of Locust Beans Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria.

Also, National Rubber Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria   National Classified Spices Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria, National Association of Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers,  National Onions Producers, Processors and National Association of Nigeria and  National Association of Rice Producers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria.