President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts as part of efforts to boost local processing and advance Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.
The renewed ban will run from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The Presidency said the decision is aimed at strengthening domestic processing capacity and improving incomes in shea-producing communities. It added that the policy aligns with the administration’s broader economic reform agenda focused on value addition and manufacturing.
Under the directive, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment will work with the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit to implement a unified national framework for the shea value chain. The framework is expected to harmonise industrialisation, trade and investment priorities in the sector.
The President also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange and ordered the immediate withdrawal of all waivers previously granted for the direct export of raw shea nuts.
Any surplus raw shea nuts must now be exported exclusively through the approved exchange framework and in line with established guidelines, the statement said.
In addition, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Industry Ministry to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism designed to boost production and processing capacity.
Shea nuts, harvested mainly in Nigeria’s savanna belt, are processed into shea butter used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and edible oils. The government noted that processed shea butter can command between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts on international markets.
The administration said the extended ban is intended to promote inclusive growth, encourage local manufacturing and position Nigeria more competitively in global agricultural value chains.
