Tinubu extends ban on raw shea nut export

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for a further one year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

His Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

Tinubu stated that the decision underscores the commitment of his administration to advancing industrial development, strengthening domestic value addition, and supporting the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The president added that the ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.

He also authorised the two ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit, PFSCU, to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

The president equally approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange, NCX, and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

Tinubu ordered that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, in accordance with the approved guidelines.

“The Federal Ministry of Finance should provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism to strengthen production and processing capacity,” he said.

DAILY POST reports that shea nuts, the oil-rich fruits from the shea tree common in the Savanna belt of Nigeria, are the raw material for shea butter, renowned for its moisturising, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.

The extracted butter is a principal ingredient in cosmetics for skin and hair, as well as in edible cooking oil.