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President Tinubu Extends Ban On Raw Shea Nut Export

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja 
President Bola Tinubu has extended the ban on exportation of raw shea nut for additional one year, beginning from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

The decision underscored the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

With the ban, the Federal Government is expected to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

To this end, President Tinubu authorised the two ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

He also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

The President directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

Additionally, he ordered 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 to strengthen production and processing capacity.

Shea nuts, the oil-rich fruits from the shea tree common in the Savanna belt of Nigeria, are the raw material for shea butter, renowned for its moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. 

The extracted butter is a principal ingredient in cosmetics for skin and hair, as well as in edible cooking oil. 

However, the Federal Government encourages processing shea nuts into butter locally, as butter fetches between 10 and 20 times the price of the raw nuts.

With the extension, the Federal Government displayed its commitment to policies that promote inclusive growth, local manufacturing, while positioning Nigeria as a competitive participant in global agricultural value chains.

This was contained in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga in Abuja. 

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