…as investors eye local processing opportunities
The Federal Government is reviewing the temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts as investors signal growing interest in establishing local processing plants across the country.
On August 26, 2025, Bola Tinubu approved a six-month restriction on the export of raw shea nuts, a move aimed at boosting domestic value addition, strengthening industrial capacity, and creating jobs within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
With the policy nearing its expiration, the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment says it will provide the President with a comprehensive and objective briefing to guide the next course of action.
Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Speaking at a Stakeholder Validation Session on the Raw Shea Nut Ban in Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja, said the review process would reflect the perspectives of all stakeholders, including rural women pickers, aggregators, exporters, and processors.
According to her, the government must carefully balance the goals of industrialization, expanding trade, and attracting investment as Nigeria pursues its $1 trillion economy target under the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
She stressed that while policies promoting industrial growth and export expansion may appear to conflict, they ultimately share a common objective of driving economic prosperity and improving livelihoods.
“We have women from Nassarawa, we have large processors, we have smaller processors, we have the pickers, the entire value chain, the aggregators, the exporters, It’s important that we balance the nuances of industrialization, of trading, and of course of bringing in investment to hit the $1 trillion economy.
“Mr. President has entrusted us with item number 7 in the Renewed Hope Agenda, of diversifying this economy, of increasing non-oil exports, of moving industrialization.
“These are things that sometimes appear to be in conflict with each other, but in actuality there is no conflict, because as Nigerians we all have one single goal, to make our economy grow, to bring prosperity to our people,” Oduwale said.
John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, has urged the government to sustain the ban, arguing that early signs indicate increased domestic processing capacity since the restriction was introduced.
Enoh revealed that prospective investors have expressed interest in setting up shea processing plants in Nigeria but are awaiting clarity on whether the ban will be extended. He maintained that limiting raw exports would encourage international buyers to establish local facilities, deepen value addition, and create employment opportunities.
“As Minister in charge of industry, there are people who want to set up processing plants who are in touch with me, but they are anxious about what is going to happen after the expiration of the ban.
“If they don’t find anything more, they will come here and set up processing plants. That is the way things work,” because the processor who sets up a plant is providing job employment opportunities. And that is key for this administration,” he said
Also weighing in, Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, called for a transparent and evidence-based assessment of the policy’s impact.
Kyari acknowledged that the ban was introduced abruptly but emphasized that the government remains open to objective reassessment. He said decisions on the future of the restriction must be guided by verifiable data and the broader national interest.
”The government is not out there to punish its people, it’s out there to make lives worthwhile, improve livelihoods of people,” he said.
Stakeholders across the shea value chain are expected to present submissions on the economic, social, and investment implications of the ban, as the Federal Government considers whether to extend, modify, or lift the policy.
