The Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria (CRIN) has ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Dr A.R. Adedeji as Acting Executive Director, following the departure of Dr Patrick Olu Adebola. The handover ceremony, attended by the board chairman, senior management, and staff, underscored the institute’s commitment to continuity and seamless leadership transitions.
Dr Adebola, who led the institute for several years, was lauded for his dedication to cocoa research and efforts to strengthen the institute’s outreach to farmers and industry partners. Staff described his tenure as a period of steady progress and capacity building.
Incoming director Dr Adedeji expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and pledged to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor. “Our goal is to enhance research that directly benefits farmers and the cocoa industry,” he said, emphasising practical solutions, innovation, and collaboration with local communities.
For the staff and stakeholders, the ceremony was more than a formal handover—it symbolised hope for a renewed focus on research, development, and the sustainability of Nigeria’s cocoa sector. Many are watching closely, anticipating how Dr Adedeji’s leadership will shape the institute’s next chapter.
