President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the immediate suspension of the export of raw shea nuts from Nigeria in a move aimed at boosting local processing, value addition, and economic growth.
The directive was announced on Tuesday in a statement signed by Mr. Stanley Nkwocha, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Communications (Office of the Vice President). The ban takes effect immediately and will remain in place until further notice.
According to the statement, the export of raw shea butter a product processed from shea nuts — is also covered by the suspension. This means no raw shea-based product can be taken out of the country until the Federal Government decides otherwise.
The decision, the statement explained, is part of the Tinubu administration’s push to strengthen Nigeria’s non-oil export base by encouraging more local production and value addition.
Vice President Kashim Shettima has already begun engaging with major stakeholders in the agricultural and export sectors to design an effective strategy for implementing the presidential directive.
The meeting, which is ongoing, includes representatives from the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, exporters, shea processors, and other key players in the shea value chain. The goal, according to government sources, is to ensure a smooth transition from raw export to domestic processing, thereby creating jobs and improving Nigeria’s export earnings.
Nigeria is one of the world’s largest producers of shea nuts, a crop used globally in the production of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food products. However, most of the shea produced locally is exported in raw form, limiting the country’s ability to earn higher foreign exchange through value-added exports.
By keeping raw shea nuts within the country, local factories will have better access to inputs for processing, which in turn can increase production of finished shea butter and other products that command higher prices in international markets.
This policy is also in line with the government’s broader efforts to industrialise Nigeria and reduce reliance on crude oil by promoting agricultural exports and local manufacturing.
However, industry players warn that the ban must be backed by strong support for local processors, including access to financing, equipment, and steady power supply, to ensure the success of the initiative.
Some shea exporters have expressed concern over the sudden nature of the ban, warning that it could disrupt existing export contracts and affect the income of farmers and traders in the short term.
“We understand the government’s aim to boost local processing, but we hope there will be clear guidelines and support to help us adjust to the new policy,” said a representative of a shea trading company in Kwara State.
On the other hand, many local processors and manufacturers have welcomed the decision, calling it a bold step toward building a stronger shea industry in Nigeria.
“This is long overdue,” said a shea butter producer in Niger State. “For years, we have struggled to get enough raw materials because exporters buy in bulk and take it all out. This move will help small factories grow.”
The Federal Government has not yet announced how long the suspension will last or what measures will be taken to monitor compliance. However, more detailed guidelines are expected to be released after Vice President Shettima’s consultations with stakeholders.
The shea sector is one of Nigeria’s fastest-growing agricultural export industries, and this new directive could mark a turning point if properly managed.
