President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, reinforcing the Federal Government’s push to boost local processing and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
The extension, which takes effect from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, was announced in a statement on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the Presidency, the decision aligns with the administration’s industrialisation drive and the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, with a focus on promoting domestic value addition, supporting shea-producing communities, and increasing export earnings through processed products rather than raw commodities.
To ensure effective implementation, Tinubu directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit to coordinate a unified national framework that integrates industrial, trade, and investment priorities across the shea sector.
The President also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange and ordered the withdrawal of all previously granted waivers for direct export of raw shea nuts. Under the new arrangement, any approved surplus must be exported strictly through the Nigerian Commodity Exchange in line with established guidelines.
In addition, Tinubu instructed the Federal Ministry of Finance to create a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment implement a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity in the shea industry.
The Federal Government had initially imposed a six-month ban last year to stimulate domestic processing and protect local producers.
Shea nuts, harvested mainly in Nigeria’s savanna belt, are processed into shea butter, a high-value product widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food production. Processed shea butter commands significantly higher prices in international markets, often selling for up to 20 times the value of raw nuts.
The government said the extension reflects its continued commitment to promoting local manufacturing, creating jobs, and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in global agricultural markets.
