By Lydia Adewumi
The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) and AmuGold Ltd, a leading Shea Butter producing company in Kwara State, popularly known for its Jimpo-ORI line of products, has launched a support plan to help Sheanut processors overcome scarcity of sheanuts, which have crippled Shea-butter production in Kwara State and Nigeria at large.
This development came up during a visit to the company on 15th April, 2025, by the Staff of the Kwara State RMRDC Coordinating Office.
The General Manager of AmuGold, Mr. Oluwo, while speaking with the team from RMRDC, lamented the inadequacy of Shea butter across Nigeria due to scarcity caused by uncontrolled export of Nigerian sheanuts and other factors.
The Kwara RMRDC State Coordinator, Mrs Lydia Adewumi, in her response, said there is a need for mass planting of shea trees with a shorter gestation period of 5-7 years and a campaign against the felling of industrial trees. She commended AmuGold Global network for the campaign carried out in the past. Mrs Adewumi further informed the house that an effort is been made by the Council to acquire a parcel of land for a research farm at Agbaku -Eji, Moro LGA in Kwara, where RMRDC/Araromi Women Cooperative Society Shea-butter Demonstration centre is sited.
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Mr. Oluwo excitedly stated that AmuGold would be ready to partner with RMRDC, as their major challenge has been inadequate raw materials production.
Mrs.Adewumi informed of the effort of RMRDC to ensure value is added to Nigeria’s raw materials before exporting them. She said the 30% Value Addition Bill sponsored by RMRDC has passed the public hearing, waiting for the President’s assent, which aims to boost the country’s economy if actualized. This policy seeks to promote local manufacturing, create jobs, and increase the country’s foreign exchange earnings. She also noted that a comprehensive 10-year road map has been developed by RMRDC to guide the policy’s execution across Nigeria’s diverse sectors and regions
This development is expected to have a positive impact on the local Shea-butter industry, alongside other industries and contribute to the region’s economic growth.
