Tinubu extends ban on raw shea nut export for one year
…directs unified national framework to boost local processing …orders withdrawal of waivers, mandates exports through NCX President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the
...directs unified national framework to boost local processing
...orders withdrawal of waivers, mandates exports through NCX
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, reinforcing his administration’s drive to deepen local processing and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial base.
The renewed ban will run from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The decision, according to a statement issued by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, underscores the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development, enhancing domestic value addition and consolidating the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
By sustaining the restriction on raw exports, the Federal Government aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, create more jobs in shea-producing communities and expand export earnings from higher-value shea products.
READ ALSO: FG targets 10–12% annual growth to achieve $1trn economy
To drive implementation, President Tinubu authorised the two Ministers in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework for the shea value chain.
The framework is expected to align industrialisation, trade and investment priorities, ensuring coherence across production, processing and export segments.
The President also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the immediate withdrawal of all waivers previously granted for the direct export of raw shea nuts.
He directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in line with the approved guidelines.
In addition, the President instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window.
This will enable the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity across the shea belt.
Shea nuts are oil-rich fruits harvested from the shea tree, which grows abundantly across Nigeria’s Savanna belt.
The nuts are processed into shea butter, a product widely used in cosmetics for skin and hair care due to its moisturising, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Shea butter is also utilised as edible cooking oil and as an ingredient in pharmaceuticals and confectionery.
Industry experts note that processed shea butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the price of raw shea nuts in international markets, making local value addition significantly more profitable for producers and exporters.
By extending the ban, the Federal Government is seeking to discourage the export of low-value raw commodities and instead promote domestic manufacturing, higher export earnings and improved livelihoods for rural communities involved in shea collection and processing.
The Presidency reiterated that the Tinubu administration remains committed to policies that promote inclusive growth, expand local manufacturing and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.
