President Tinubu
Olamilekan Abayomi
President Bola Tinubu has extended the ban on raw shea nut exports for another year, effective from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. This decision aims to boost local processing, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote Nigerian exports of value-added products.
The extension also involves adopting an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange and withdrawing existing waivers for direct raw shea nut exports. According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ajayi, the government encourages processing shea nuts into butter locally, as it fetches between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts in international markets.
This move is part of the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Federal Ministry of Finance will provide access to a dedicated support window to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism, enhancing production and processing capacity.
The ban is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of shea nut farmers and communities involved in the industry. By promoting local processing, the government hopes to increase the value of shea nut exports and create more job opportunities.
Shea nuts are a significant export commodity for Nigeria, with the country being one of the largest producers of shea nuts globally. The ban on raw shea nut exports is expected to encourage more investment in local processing facilities and improve the quality of shea products.
The Nigerian government has been working to develop the shea industry, recognizing its potential for economic growth and poverty reduction. The extension of the ban is seen as a step towards achieving these goals.
The shea tree is native to West Africa, and Nigeria is home to a significant portion of the region’s shea nut production. The industry provides income for thousands of farmers and communities, particularly women.
