President Tinubu Orders Immediate Ban Of Raw Shea Nut Export

President Bola Tinubu has approved a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nut to boost local processing, protect and grow Nigeria’s shea industry.shea nuts

The ban, which is with immediate effect, is subject to review on expiration and specifically aimed at boosting Nigeria’s shea value chain to generate around $300 million annually in the short term.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who announced the president’s directive during a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant government agencies to fast-track enforcement.

Speaking on the directive, Shettima said the decision was not “an anti-trade policy but a pro-value addition policy designed to secure raw materials for our processing factories and enabling industries run at full capacity, thereby boosting rural income and jobs for our people.”

He believes the decision “will transform Nigeria from an exporter of raw shea nut to a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil and other derivatives.”

President @officialABAT has approved a six-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nut to curb informal trade, boost local processing, and protect and grow Nigeria’s shea industry.

The ban, which takes immediate effect, is subject to review upon expiration.

According to him, the move is about industrialisation, rural transformation, gender empowerment, and expanding Nigeria’s global trade footprint.

On opportunities for job creation and income generation, the Vice President said, “Nigeria produces nearly 40% of the global shea product, yet we account for only 1% of the market share of $6.5 billion.

“This is unacceptable. We are projected to earn about $300 million annually in the short term, and by 2027, there will be a 10-fold increase. This is our target.”

VP Shettima explained that the ban was a collective decision involving the sub-nationals and the Federal Government, with clear directions for economic transformation in the overall interest of the nation.

“Government is not closing doors; we are opening opportunities. Mr President is currently in Brazil, and both countries have agreed to prioritize access for Nigerian shea butter and oil in the Brazilian market. This process will be completed within the next 3 months,” the VP told the gathering in Abuja.

The Vice President highlighted the gender dimension of the policy, noting that “by protecting the shea industry, we are protecting livelihoods, dignity, and opportunity for millions of our women.

“We are not closing doors, we are opening better ones. Today, we plant the seeds of an industry that will yield fruit for decades to come for our women, for our economy, and for Nigeria’s place in global trade.”

pathway for national economic development.”

Senator Kyari continued: “The reasons for this presidential directive are clear. Without corrective action, Nigeria risked becoming a raw depot for opportunistic and illicit buyers, undermining our processors’ capacities, disempowering rural women, and forfeiting billions in potential export revenues.

“The PFSCU rapid assessment, which engaged over 2,000 pickers and 65 processors, confirmed the urgent need for action. Informal exports, estimated at 90,000 metric tonnes annually, are draining our domestic supply.

“With neighbours like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo already restricting raw exports, Nigeria risked being left as the region’s raw depot. The benefits of the temporary ban are equally compelling.

“It will secure domestic supply, enable processors to operate at full capacity, curb informal trade, and lay the foundation for Nigeria to transition from exporting raw kernels to exporting high-value derivatives such as butter, olein, and stearin.”