By Our Reporter
Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for another year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, as part of efforts to strengthen local processing and industrial development.
The extension, announced in a State House press release on Wednesday, is aimed at advancing domestic value addition, boosting industrial capacity, and supporting the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the statement, the continued restriction on raw shea nut exports is designed to deepen Nigeria’s processing capacity, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the export of higher-value shea-based products rather than unprocessed raw materials.
To drive implementation, President Tinubu authorised the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.
The President also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the withdrawal of all waivers previously granted for the direct export of raw shea nuts.
Under the new directive, any surplus raw shea nuts may only be exported through the NCX framework and in line with the approved guidelines.
In addition, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity within the sector.
Shea nuts, harvested from shea trees found predominantly in Nigeria’s Savanna belt, are processed into shea butter — a product widely used in cosmetics for skin and hair care, as well as in edible cooking oil. Processed shea butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts, making local processing significantly more profitable.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to policies that promote inclusive growth, expand local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.