President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, reinforcing his administration’s push for local processing and value addition in the agricultural sector.
The extension, which takes effect from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, is aimed at strengthening domestic industrial capacity, boosting livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and aligning with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the State House, the policy seeks to deepen Nigeria’s processing capabilities and promote exports anchored on value-added shea products rather than raw commodities.
To ensure effective implementation, the President authorised the two ministers overseeing the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit, to coordinate a unified and evidence-based national framework for the shea value chain. The framework is expected to harmonise industrialisation, trade and investment priorities.
Tinubu also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange and ordered the withdrawal of all waivers previously granted for the direct export of raw shea nuts.
Under the new directive, any excess raw shea nut supply must be exported strictly through the NCX framework and in line with approved guidelines.
In addition, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window. The funding mechanism will enable the Industry, Trade and Investment Ministry to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism designed to strengthen production and processing capacity across the shea value chain.
Shea nuts, harvested from shea trees prevalent in Nigeria’s savanna belt, are processed into shea butter — a key ingredient in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and edible oils due to its moisturising, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The Federal Government noted that processed shea butter commands between 10 and 20 times the value of raw shea nuts in international markets.
The administration reiterated its commitment to policies that promote inclusive growth, support local manufacturing and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.