By Adejare Ibrahim and Ajayi Olamide
In a bid to unlock Nigeria’s vast natural wealth and strengthen its non-oil export base, stakeholders from across the Shea value chain converged in Ibadan, Oyo State recently, for a one-day Investors Forum on Shea Nut Resources and Development. The event, themed “Enhancing Sheanut Resources and Its Export Potentials for Economic Value,” was organised by the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) in collaboration with Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC), NASME, NASSI, AFAN and other partners.
The forum aimed to foster dialogue, attract investment, and promote sustainable value addition within Nigeria’s Shea industry, a sector with enormous potential to drive economic diversification, empower rural women, and generate significant export earnings.
Delivering his welcome address, the Director-General of RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, represented by Deputy Director, South-West Coordinating Division, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ajani, emphasised the need to build a resilient, competitive, and inclusive Shea industry capable of strengthening the national economy, The DG noted that investing in the Shea sector could create thousands of jobs, improve livelihoods for women, and increase Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings.
“This forum offers valuable insights into strengthening the Shea value chain, forging strategic partnerships, and mobilising finance for sustainable development,” Ike-Muonso said.
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Representing the Oyo State Government, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Abosede Owoeye, described the Shea tree as a cornerstone of the rural economy and one of Nigeria’s most economically significant trees. “Shea butter possesses immense economic value that remains largely untapped. It holds medicinal properties and offers a sustainable path to job creation and foreign exchange if its value chain is well developed,” she said.
Similarly, Hon. Olabode Adeniyi, Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, highlighted the importance of processing and refining Shea nuts into finished products to maximise profits and meet global standards. Represented by Mr. Olayinka Raimi, a director in the ministry, Adeniyi stressed that adding value locally would increase the industry’s competitiveness in international markets. “We must focus more on processing and refining Shea nuts into high-quality finished products to earn higher market value and strengthen Nigeria’s export base,” he urged.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. John Karunwi, called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders, including regulatory bodies such as NAFDAC, to ensure Shea butter products meet international standards. He cautioned that neglecting the sector could threaten the sustainability of Shea resources in Nigeria. “The entire Shea value chain offers vast opportunities. Without strategic attention to raw material development and standardisation, this vital resource risks extinction,” Karunwi warned.
In his remarks, Director of Agribusiness at the Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency (OYSADA), Dr. Dayo Sosina underlined the environmental benefits of Shea trees, including water conservation and ecosystem protection. He called for stronger political will, increased public awareness, and adequate financial support to drive Shea production and its value addition. “We need to invest in economic trees such as Shea for both environmental sustainability and economic empowerment,” he added.
Presenting the closing remarks, the RMRDC Oyo State Coordinator, Mr. O.A. Adeogun, appreciated the DG RMRDC, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso for driving the initiative, hailed the presence of other RMRDC State Coordinators from Ogun and Osun States; Mr Rabiu Basiru Olawale and Mr Adeyemi Saheed Adenrele respectively, and also commended participants for their commitment to repositioning the Shea industry. He expressed optimism that the discussions would translate into actionable partnerships and policy reforms to enhance Nigeria’s Shea export potential.
