Tinubu Extends Raw Shea Nut Export Ban to Boost Local Processing

President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of Nigeria's ban on raw shea nut exports, effective February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. The directive aims to stimulate domestic processing capacity and improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities across Nigeria's Savanna belt. By prohibiting direct exports of raw nuts, the administration seeks to increase value addition through local shea butter production, which can fetch 10-20 times the price of unprocessed nuts in international markets. To enforce the policy, the President authorized the Ministries of Industry and Food Security to coordinate a unified national framework aligned with the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) export guidelines. Previously granted export waivers have been withdrawn, requiring all surplus nuts to be processed through NCX channels. The government also established a NESS Support Window to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism supporting production and processing capacity. This extension follows Tinubu's initial six-month ban last year, reflecting the Renewed Hope Agenda's focus on inclusive growth and Nigeria's competitiveness in global agricultural value chains.

SOURCE: https://www.channelstv.com/2026/02/26/tinubu-extends-ban-on-raw-shea-nut-exports-by-one-year/