President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the suspension of raw shea nut exports from Nigeria, in a decisive move aimed at boosting local processing, job creation, and value addition in the agricultural sector.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, who explained that the policy is part of the administration’s broader strategy to transform Nigeria from a raw material–dependent economy to a manufacturing hub.
According to the minister, Nigeria remains one of the world’s leading producers of shea, but most of its produce is exported in raw form, denying the country the economic benefits of processing and finished products. With the new directive, investors in the shea value chain are expected to establish factories, processing plants, and create thousands of jobs for Nigerian youths and women, particularly in shea-producing communities.
The minister further stressed that by prioritizing local processing, Nigeria stands to earn higher foreign exchange from finished products such as shea butter, cosmetics, and food ingredients, instead of losing revenue through cheap raw exports.
This bold step aligns with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which focuses on diversifying the economy, empowering small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs), and reducing over-reliance on oil.
👉 What’s your take on this policy? Do you think stopping raw shea exports will truly boost local industries or create new challenges? Share your thoughts in the comment box below.
