BREAKING: Tinubu Extends Ban on Raw Shea Nut Export

• President Bola Tinubu has extended the ban on raw shea nut exports for another year, reinforcing efforts to boost local processing, increase value addition, and strengthen Nigeria’s industrial capacity.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, as part of efforts to strengthen local processing and industrial growth.

The decision, announced in a State House statement by Bayo Onanuga, aligns with the administration’s industrialisation drive under the Renewed Hope Agenda. According to the Presidency, the policy is aimed at boosting domestic value addition, expanding Nigeria’s shea processing capacity, and improving livelihoods across producing communities.

The government explained that prioritising local processing would enable Nigeria to benefit more from the shea value chain, noting that processed shea butter commands significantly higher prices in global markets compared to raw nuts.

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To ensure effective implementation, the President has directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit, to develop a unified framework that aligns trade, investment, and industrial priorities within the sector.

Tinubu also approved the adoption of an export framework 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 surplus must be exported strictly through the regulated exchange system.

The ban was first introduced in August 2025 as a temporary six-month measure to curb the export of unprocessed commodities and encourage local value addition. Its extension signals a continued push to deepen Nigeria’s industrial base within the agricultural sector.