President Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a move aimed at boosting domestic processing capacity and strengthening Nigeria’s industrial value chain.
The presidency announced the decision in a statement on Wednesday, confirming that the ban will now run from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.
The extension comes just hours before the expiration of the initial six-month restriction, which took effect on August 26, 2025.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the decision reflects the administration’s broader industrialisation goals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said: “The ban aims to deepen processing capacity within Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored on value-added products.”
Onanuga added that the president had also directed key government institutions to coordinate the policy’s implementation.
“To further these objectives, President Tinubu has authorised the two Ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain,” the statement read.
The presidential aide said the government had also approved a structured export framework to regulate the commodity market.
According to him, Tinubu approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange and ordered the withdrawal of all waivers that previously allowed the direct export of raw shea nuts.
Onanuga further stated that the president directed that any excess supply of raw shea nuts should be exported only through the NCX framework and in line with approved guidelines.
He added: “Additionally, he 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 to strengthen production and processing capacity.”
The presidency said the federal government remains committed to policies that encourage inclusive economic growth, expand local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.
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