NIGERIA: President Tinubu Approves One-Year Extension Of Ban On Raw Shea Nut Exports

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for an additional one year, effective from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

The decision, announced by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, reinforces the administration’s focus on industrial development, domestic value addition, and the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the statement, the extended ban is intended to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote export growth through value-added products rather than raw commodities.

Shea nuts, harvested from the shea tree prevalent in Nigeria’s Savanna belt, serve as the primary raw material for shea butter, widely used in cosmetics for its moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties, as well as in edible oils.

Locally processed shea butter commands prices 10 to 20 times higher than raw nuts, underscoring the economic rationale for the policy.

To support implementation, President Tinubu has directed the Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit to develop and coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework aligning industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He has also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), the withdrawal of all existing waivers for direct raw shea nut exports, and the requirement that any excess supply be exported exclusively through the NCX in line with approved guidelines.

Furthermore, the President instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window, enabling the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity in shea communities.

The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to policies that drive inclusive growth, boost local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricu

ltural value chains.