President Bola Tinubu has ordered an immediate six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts, in a bold move to curb informal trade, boost local processing, and unlock the full economic potential of Nigeria’s shea value chain.
The temporary export restriction, announced by Vice President Kashim Shettima during a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, is aimed at transforming Nigeria from a raw commodity exporter into a leading global supplier of refined shea products.
“This is not an anti-trade policy but a pro-value addition policy,” said VP Shettima. “It is designed to secure raw materials for our processing factories, enable industries to run at full capacity, and boost rural income and jobs.”
Nigeria currently produces nearly 40% of the world’s shea supply but captures less than 1% of the global shea market, estimated at $6.5 billion. The government’s target is to generate $300 million annually in the short term from processed shea products, with a tenfold increase projected by 2027.
The Vice President emphasized the socio-economic benefits of the directive, noting that the shea sector is largely driven by women, with over 90% of pickers and processors being female. “By protecting the shea industry, we are protecting livelihoods, dignity, and opportunity for millions of our women,” he added.
The ban, which may be reviewed after six months, is part of a broader effort to industrialize the nation, empower rural communities, and increase Nigeria’s global trade footprint. VP Shettima also revealed that discussions are ongoing to open the Brazilian market to Nigerian shea butter and oil within three months.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, lamented that despite producing an estimated 350,000 metric tonnes of shea annually across 30 states—with potential to reach 900,000—Nigeria remains a marginal player in the global market.
He cited findings from a rapid assessment conducted by the Presidential Fertilizer and Shea Coordination Unit (PFSCU), which revealed that over 90,000 metric tonnes of raw shea are lost annually to informal cross-border trade. Meanwhile, local processors operate at just 35–50% of their 160,000-metric-tonne capacity.
“Without corrective action, Nigeria risked becoming a raw depot for illicit buyers, disempowering rural women, and forfeiting billions in potential export revenue,” Kyari warned. He noted that neighboring countries such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo have already restricted raw exports to protect their domestic industries.
The minister highlighted the strategic importance of shea in Nigeria’s Zero Oil Plan, adding that the global shea market is projected to grow to $9 billion by 2030. With over five million hectares of wild-growing shea trees, Nigeria is well-positioned to dominate the industry—not only in production, but in high-value processing.
The Tinubu administration’s decision is seen as a crucial step toward reducing dependence on crude oil exports, promoting inclusive growth, and tapping into the vast potential of Nigeria’s non-oil sectors.
“This is a policy for transformation, and today we plant the seeds of an industry that will yield fruit for decades to come,” Vice President Shettima declared.