By Adaora Adibe
In a landmark move to industrialise Nigeria’s agricultural sector and produce greater value for its natural resources, His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on August 26, 2025, approved a six-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts.
According to the Vice President Kashim Shettima, the ban will transform Nigeria from an exporter of raw shea nut to a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil, and other derivatives.
He added that the decision was not “an anti-trade policy but a pro-value addition policy designed to secure raw materials for our processing factories” and boost income and jobs for rural workers.
Meanwhile, the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria under the supervision of Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology vested with the mandate to promote, support and expedite industrial development and self-reliance through promoting the production, development processing and optimal utilization of Nigeria’s local raw materials resources as inputs for industries has expressed strong support for the ban as it serves as a flagship for the full implementation of its Raw Materials 30% Value Addition bill currently undergoing legislative processes.
You Might AlsoLike
The shea value chain has the potential to promote the growth of Nigeria’s non-oil sector, empower women, reduce poverty, improve food and nutritional security, promote sustainable livelihoods, and protect the environment.
The Director General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Martin Ike-Muonso, hailed the policy and emphasised that the temporary ban complements the Council’s proposed legislation currently awaiting concurrence – the 30% Raw Materials Value Addition Bill. The bill, recently passed by the National Assembly, mandates a minimum of 30% value addition to strategic raw materials before export. This initiative aims to curb the loss of economic value through raw commodity exports and stimulate domestic manufacturing capacity.
“The shea nut ban is a welcome policy that reflects our long-standing position on the need to industrialise Nigeria’s raw materials base. It offers an opportunity to reposition the country’s shea industry from a largely subsistence-based practice to a competitive, globally recognised value chain,” Prof. Nnanyelugo stated.
He explained that over the years, the RMRDC has championed a range of initiatives to boost local processing, improve product quality, and promote the industrial utilisation of Nigeria’s abundant shea resources. These efforts include:
- Development of Shea Derivatives: A pilot plant for the production of stearic acid and oleic acid from shea butter has been designed, fabricated, and installed at RMRDC’s Research and Demonstration Plant at Abuja. These derivatives have a wide range of industrial applications in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries.
- Domestication of Shea Trees: In collaboration with the National Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR), improved shea seedlings with a reduced gestation period of 5–7 years were introduced and planted in Gawu Village, Abaji Area Council, FCT. This demonstration aims to promote plantation development and shea tree domestication.
- Technology Upgrade for Processing: RMRDC has developed and installed modern shea nut processing equipment in Agbaku-eji, Kwara State, and Kebbi State, with improved crushing and kneading capacities to reduce manual labor and increase yield for women cooperatives.
- Shea Butter Grading and Quality Assurance: The Council conducted comprehensive lab analyses and grading of shea butter (Grades A–D), aligning with international quality benchmarks and promoting industrial usability.
- Germplasm Improvement: In partnership with the National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology (NAGRAB), RMRDC is advancing shea germplasm development for higher productivity.
- Model Processing and Training Centre: A model processing center in Gawu Village serves as a capacity-building hub, where over 500 women and youth have been trained in shea kernel processing, butter production, and the development of shea-based cosmetics and cosmeceuticals.
Additionally, RMRDC and the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) collaborated to develop a roadmap for the Shea sector, aiming to harness Nigeria’s abundant shea natural resources and promote the growth of the shea value chain.
The purpose is to protect existing shea trees and increase shea tree population for sustainability; increase shea nut collection and processing storage facilities, adopt best practices in high-quality butter production and uniformity across the country; promote quality packaging and labelling of shea products, and facilitate access to funding, domestic and international markets.
To fully realise the gains of the export ban and unlock Nigeria’s industrial potential, the DG RMRDC called for:
- Legislation of the 30% value addition benchmark, with RMRDC as a key implementing agency.
- A transition from raw commodity exports to refined shea products like cosmetics, food-grade butter, and pharmaceuticals.
- Expansion of shea plantations through improved seedlings and domestication programs.
- Favourable trade policies and alignment with international standards.
- Investment in certification, R&D, infrastructure, and SME support systems.
- Strong collaboration between government, private sector, cooperatives, research institutions, and international partners.
“The shea nut ban is not just a policy decision; it is a catalyst for long-term prosperity. With sustained policy support, investment, and partnership, Nigeria can become a global hub for high-quality, value-added shea products,” Prof. Nnanyelugo stated.
