President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, reinforcing his administration’s industrialization agenda and the drive to boost local value addition in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The ban takes effect from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the presidency said the decision reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening domestic processing capacity and improving livelihoods in shea-producing communities.

“The extension of the ban underscores the administration’s resolve to deepen industrial development and deliver on the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the statement said.

According to the Presidency, the policy is designed to ensure that Nigeria retains greater economic value from the shea value chain by promoting the export of processed products rather than raw commodities.

To support implementation, President Tinubu authorised the two ministers in the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, in collaboration with the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate a unified and evidence-based national framework.

The framework, the statement noted, will align industrialisation, trade and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

The President also approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the immediate withdrawal of all waivers previously granted for the direct export of raw shea nuts.

“He further directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts must be exported exclusively through the NCX framework in line with approved guidelines,” the statement added.

In addition, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at boosting production and processing capacity within the sector.

Shea nuts, harvested from shea trees predominantly found in Nigeria’s savanna belt, are processed into shea butter, a key ingredient used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and edible oils.

The Federal Government noted that processed shea butter can fetch between 10 and 20 times the price of raw nuts in international markets.

“The administration is committed to promoting inclusive growth, supporting local manufacturing and positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains,” the statement said.