By Victor Essang
History was made in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, as environmentalist, entrepreneur and development advocate, Mrs. Emem Umoh, unveiled what is widely regarded as Nigeria’s first comprehensive book dedicated to the country’s jackfruit value chain, marking a significant milestone in agricultural innovation and economic diversification.
Titled Pioneering Jackfruit Innovations in Nigeria: A Founder’s Blueprint for Turning an Unpopular Species into Sustainable Wealth, the book chronicles years of research, practical experience and innovation aimed at transforming jackfruit from a largely neglected fruit into a catalyst for wealth creation, food security and sustainable development.
The launch attracted government officials, academics, development partners, exporters, women’s organisations, environmental advocates, entrepreneurs and community leaders, all of whom described the publication as a pioneering contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural literature and a practical guide for unlocking the country’s untapped agro-economic potential.
Chairman of the occasion and Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ukana, Dr. Eduma Enobong Essien (MCISCON, FCAI), described the event as more than the unveiling of a book, saying it celebrated vision, innovation and the transformative power of knowledge.
According to her, the publication demonstrates how an underutilised agricultural resource can be converted into employment opportunities, industrial raw materials, improved nutrition and sustainable wealth.
She commended Mrs. Umoh for her resilience and commitment to promoting value addition, entrepreneurship and community empowerment through the jackfruit value chain.
Dr. Essien noted that the future of Nigeria’s economy lies not merely in producing agricultural commodities but in processing, branding, packaging and commercialising them for local and international markets.
She said the book comes at a crucial time when governments and development institutions are advocating economic diversification through agriculture and expressed confidence that it would serve as an invaluable resource for researchers, students, policymakers, investors, farmers and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The Rector also applauded the inclusion of a technical session featuring practical demonstrations on jackfruit processing, noting that the hands-on training would equip community women under the WINCO Jackfruit Value Chain Programme with practical skills for income generation and sustainable livelihoods.
She called on government agencies, financial institutions, private investors, research organisations and development partners to support initiatives that combine environmental conservation with economic empowerment before formally declaring the book launched.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. Emem Umoh said the publication was inspired by her conviction that jackfruit is far more than a neglected fruit.
She explained that years of research and practical experience had convinced her that the crop possesses enormous potential to create jobs, improve livelihoods, promote environmental sustainability and contribute significantly to Nigeria’s economic development.
According to her, the vision behind the book is to empower women, youths and entrepreneurs to harness local resources through value addition and innovation while contributing to the sustainable development goals.
She expressed gratitude to government agencies, the Ministry of Environment, development partners-UNDP, SGP, GEF, for funding the Jackfruit Value Chain livelihood component of the ” participatory restoration and management of Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve (SCFR) implemented by WINCO in Esit Eket and appreciated the communities for their support.
Umoh also thanked members of Women in Nature Conservation Organisation (WINCO) for supporting the journey and urged Nigerians to embrace innovation by exploring opportunities within the nation’s agricultural value chains.
Reviewing the book, Founder of the Uyo Book Club, Dr. Udeme Nnana, described the publication as a groundbreaking contribution to Nigeria’s agricultural and entrepreneurial literature.
He said the work combines research with practical experience, making it a blueprint for transforming an overlooked natural resource into a thriving economic enterprise.
According to him, the book is accessible to farmers, researchers, students, investors and policymakers, while providing practical solutions for value addition, agro-industrialisation, food security and sustainable development.
He urged educational institutions, libraries and policymakers to adopt the publication as a valuable reference material for advancing agricultural innovation in Nigeria.
In her goodwill message, the representative of the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) in Akwa Ibom State, Mrs. Joan Idiong, congratulated the author for her outstanding achievements in the jackfruit value chain.
She disclosed that Mrs. Umoh’s work earned her certification as an exporter by the council and announced that she had been nominated to join Nigeria’s delegation to a global exhibition in Canada.
She described the jackfruit products developed by WINCO as among the most unique export-oriented agricultural innovations currently emerging from Nigeria.
Also speaking, the President of the National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Hon. Idongesit Okoko, described the launch as the birth of a new industry capable of creating sustainable wealth for generations.
She pledged the support of the organisation in promoting the jackfruit initiative across Nigeria and prayed that the vision would create jobs, empower women, youths and establish a lasting legacy.
A member of the WINCO Board of Directors, Mmaruwem Ekukinam Edo, described the author as a visionary leader whose work was laying the foundation for Nigeria’s jackfruit economy.
Representatives of the Aniedi Inyang Foundation also praised Mrs. Umoh’s contributions to environmental sustainability and community development, noting that her innovations had projected Akwa Ibom onto the national development map.
Former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr. Ini Adiakpan, commended the author’s resilience and foresight, expressing confidence that both the book and the numerous jackfruit products she has developed would stand the test of time.
Also present at the event were representatives of the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Women Affairs, the Head of the Department of Botany, the Chairperson of the WINCO Board of Trustees, Professor Enoabasi Urua, Professor Eniang, the Clan Head of Eket Offiong, the Initiative for Mangrove Ecosystem Management and Preservation in Akwa Ibom (IMEMPA), Gihon Farms, the Aniedi Inyang Foundation, Nto Nwoko Family Multi purpose cooperative (NNFCS) and other partners who gave Goodwill messages. The Director of Climate change , Mrs Ini Umoh represented the Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Environment.
In a significant boost to the initiative, the Director of Forestry, Akwa Ibom State, announced the availability of 10 hectares of land for the establishment of a jackfruit plantation, reaffirming the state’s commitment to promoting sustainable forestry, environmental conservation, and the development of the jackfruit value chain.
Beyond the formal launch, participants took part in practical demonstrations on jackfruit processing, reinforcing the event’s central message that innovation, skills acquisition and value addition remain critical to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural resources into sustainable wealth.
With the unveiling of Pioneering Jackfruit Innovations in Nigeria, Mrs. Emem Umoh has not only authored a book but has also documented a pioneering vision that could shape the future of Nigeria’s jackfruit value chain and inspire a new generation of agro-entrepreneurs.
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