By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Correspondent
PRESIDENT BOLA Tinubu has ordered an immediate temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts.
The directive was announced by the minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, who said the measure is designed to encourage local processing and increase value addition within Nigeria.
He confirmed that the ban takes effect without delay.
Kyari explained that the decision is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the agro-industrial sector by reducing the export of unprocessed commodities.
He noted that by retaining raw shea nuts for local use, the country aims to stimulate domestic industries and expand opportunities in value-added processing.
The minister stated that the move reflects a regional trend across West Africa where similar restrictions have been applied to promote industrial development.
He pointed to policies in Ghana and Burkina Faso, where governments have implemented phased or indefinite bans on raw shea nut exports.
Those measures, he said, have been aimed at building processing capacity, creating jobs, and generating higher export revenues through finished products rather than raw commodities.
According to Kyari, the government’s focus is to ensure that Nigeria benefits from the full value chain of shea products.
He said the ban will help redirect raw materials into domestic industries that can process them into products with higher market value, which will contribute to economic diversification and increased earnings from non-oil exports.
The ministry emphasised that the decision aligns with ongoing efforts to position agriculture as a central driver of industrial growth.
It said Nigeria holds significant potential in shea production and that encouraging local processing would create opportunities for job creation, investment, and increased participation of rural communities in the agro-economy.
Kyari said the policy will further support the government’s agenda of promoting agro-allied industries that can compete globally.
By limiting the outflow of raw shea nuts, he added, the country can build a stronger foundation for industries producing butter, cosmetics, and other processed goods derived from shea, which have higher international demand.
The minister reiterated that the measure remains temporary but will be enforced immediately as part of a deliberate plan to protect local industries and ensure long-term benefits from the shea sector.
He confirmed that the government is committed to implementing supportive measures that will enhance processing capacity and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural exports.
