The Garri Men

The Garri Makers of Azuba

At Azuba Centre, the production of garri and akpu is more than a business—it is a source of livelihood, resilience, and community growth. For Moses, Timothy, Fater, and many others, cassava processing provides a sustainable means of income in a time when formal employment opportunities remain limited. Like many young Nigerians turning to agriculture and small-scale enterprises, they have chosen to create value from the resources around them rather than wait for opportunities to come.

The work is labour-intensive, involving peeling, washing, grating, fermenting, pressing, sieving, and frying cassava into garri. Other parts of the crop are processed into akpu and alibo, while the peels are used as animal feed. Nothing goes to waste. Through skill, determination, and traditional knowledge, the people of Azuba transform cassava into food, income, and opportunity, demonstrating how local enterprise continues to strengthen rural communities and support economic independence.