President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for an additional year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. This was disclosed on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

The president said the decision reflects his administration’s commitment to industrial development, boosting domestic value addition, and advancing the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Tinubu emphasized that the ban is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s processing capacity, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of exports through value-added products.

He also directed the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) to coordinate a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialization, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

Furthermore, the president approved the adoption of an export framework set up by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and ordered the withdrawal of all waivers that allowed direct export of raw shea nuts. He instructed that any surplus raw shea nuts should be exported exclusively through the NCX framework, following the approved guidelines.

Tinubu added: “The Federal Ministry of Finance should provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism to strengthen production and processing capacity.”

Shea nuts, the oil-rich fruits of the shea tree found in Nigeria’s Savanna belt, are the primary raw material for shea butter. The butter is widely used in cosmetics for skin and hair care and as an edible cooking oil, valued for its moisturizing, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties.