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The World Coalition of Oil Palm Smallholders (WCOPS) has announced the unanimous election of Amb. Inyang as the Chairman of its General Assembly. Amb. Inyang, who currently serves as the President of the National Palm Produce Association of Nigeria (NPPAN), will now lead the highest decision-making body of the international organisation.
Established by the Council of Palm Oil Producing Countries (CPOPC), WCOPS operates with the backing of the Indonesian and Malaysian governments, alongside Solidaridad, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), and major global producers. The coalition’s core mandate is to champion and protect the interests of oil palm smallholders on a global scale.
Amb. Inyang previously held the role of Vice President for Africa and the Middle East within the coalition. His election to the chairmanship took place alongside a new executive team, including Indonesia's Dr. Gulat Manurung as President and Malaysia's Dr. Napoleon Ningkos as Vice President for Asia and Europe. Other key appointments include Mr. Tuan Haji Azimi Bin Hassan of Malaysia (VP for Asia, Pacific, and Oceania) and Mr. Allan of Honduras (VP for the Americas). Additionally, Dr. Djono Albar Burhan of Indonesia was named Executive Director, while Ghana’s Dr. Paul Amaning assumed the role of Director of Digitalisation and Innovation.
The General Meeting, held in Indonesia’s new capital city of East Kalimantan during the International Oil Palm Smallholders Forum, drew approximately 400 delegates from across the globe. The event saw high-level representation from the Indonesia Palm Oil Association (IPOA), the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), the Malaysian Palm Oil Council (MPOC), and the Indonesia Oil Palm Plantations Fund Management Agency (BPDP), as well as official government delegations from the world’s leading palm oil-producing nations.
During the assembly, delegates reaffirmed their collective commitment to advocating for the rights and livelihoods of more than 50 million smallholders worldwide. Amb. Inyang brings extensive experience to the role, serving as the Vice Chairman of the Technical Working Group for the Nigerian Oil Palm Development Strategy (2026–2050) and as the Focal Person for the CPOPC in Nigeria. He is also a prominent international resource person and leader in the National Engagement Group on Palm Biomass Valorisation.
Following his appointment, Amb. Inyang pledged to provide a strong voice for Africa within the global coalition, ensuring that the specific needs and challenges of the continent’s smallholders are addressed within the international palm oil agenda.
Source: The Guardian Nigeria News