Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Export Waivers on Raw Shea Nuts

Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Export Waivers on Raw Shea Nuts
The renewed restriction will take effect from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027
Industry experts estimate that processed shea butter can sell for up to 10 to 20 times more than raw nuts

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a fresh one-year extension of the ban on exporting raw shea nuts, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen local processing and industrial growth.

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Eko Hot Blog reports that the renewed restriction will take effect from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

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According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the move is aimed at encouraging value addition within Nigeria and reducing the export of unprocessed agricultural commodities.

By keeping raw shea nuts within the country, the government hopes to expand local processing into shea butter and other finished products, which fetch significantly higher prices in international markets. Industry experts estimate that processed shea butter can sell for up to 10 to 20 times more than raw nuts.

To ensure proper coordination, the President directed the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, alongside the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit, to develop a unified national framework for the shea value chain. The framework is expected to align policies on production, processing, and export.

Tinubu Orders Withdrawal of Export Waivers on Raw Shea Nuts — President Tinubu

In addition, the President approved 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. Any excess supply must now be exported strictly through the NCX system.

The Federal Ministry of Finance was also directed to provide access to a dedicated support window to help strengthen production and processing capacity across Nigeria’s shea-producing belt.

Shea nuts, harvested largely in Nigeria’s savanna region, are processed into shea butter, which is widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food production, and confectionery.

With this extension, the Federal Government says it is taking further steps to promote domestic manufacturing, create jobs in rural communities, and position Nigeria as a stronger player in global agricultural value chains.