By Peter Omopo
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, effective from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.
The decision, announced on Thursday, is aimed at boosting industrial development, promoting domestic value addition, and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the government, the extension is designed to deepen local processing capacity, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and encourage the growth of Nigerian exports driven by value-added products.
To ensure effective implementation, President Tinubu authorised the two ministers in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit, to coordinate a unified and evidence-based national framework. The framework is expected to align 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 and ordered the withdrawal of all waivers that previously permitted the direct export of raw shea nuts.
Under the new directive, any surplus raw shea nuts must be exported strictly through the Nigerian Commodity Exchange framework and in line with approved guidelines.
In addition, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window. This will 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, derived from the oil-rich fruit of the shea tree commonly found in Nigeria’s savanna belt, are processed into shea butter, which is widely used in cosmetics for skin and hair care due to its moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Shea butter is also used as an edible cooking oil.
The Federal Government has consistently encouraged local processing of shea nuts into butter, noting that processed butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts in the international market.
Officials say the policy reflects the government’s broader commitment to inclusive economic growth, strengthening local manufacturing, and positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.
