Tinubu Extends Ban on Raw Shea Nut Exports for One Year to Boost Local Processing

President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, pushing the restriction from February 26, 2026 to February 25, 2027, in a move aimed at strengthening local processing, industrial growth, and value addition within Nigeria’s agricultural sector.



The presidency announced the decision in a statement released on Wednesday, February 25, just hours before the expiration of the initial six-month ban that took effect on August 26, 2025.

According to the statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the extension aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises industrial development, domestic value addition, and inclusive economic growth.

“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,” the statement said.

To ensure effective implementation, President Tinubu has authorised the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to jointly develop and enforce a unified, evidence-based national framework for the shea nut value chain.

The framework is expected to harmonise industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across production, processing, and export segments.

Onanuga disclosed that the president approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the immediate withdrawal of all waivers that previously allowed the direct export of raw shea nuts.

Under the new directive, any excess supply of raw shea nuts may only be exported through the NCX framework, in strict compliance with approved guidelines.

The president further directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window, enabling the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at improving production and processing capacity.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to policies that promote local manufacturing, inclusive growth, and Nigeria’s competitiveness in global agricultural value chains.