Tinubu Extends Ban on Raw Shea Nut Exports to Boost Local Processing

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

The extension is part of the administration’s broader efforts to advance industrial development, promote domestic value addition, and support the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The ban is aimed at strengthening processing capacity in Nigeria, improving livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and boosting the country’s export of value-added products.

To ensure effective implementation, President Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework linking 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 ordered the withdrawal of all waivers allowing direct export of raw shea nuts.

Under the new guidelines, any excess raw shea nuts must be exported exclusively through the NCX framework. The President further 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 to strengthen production and processing capacity.

Shea nuts, the oil-rich fruits of the shea tree found across Nigeria’s Savanna belt, are the primary raw material for shea butter, widely used in cosmetics and as edible oil. The government notes that locally processed shea butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts, underscoring the economic potential of local processing.

Through these measures, the Federal Government aims to promote inclusive growth, support local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.