President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on exporting raw shea nuts. The new deadline now runs from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. According to a statement released by the presidency on Wednesday, February 25.
This decision comes just hours before the initial six-month ban, which began on August 26, 2025, set to expire.
Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, explained that the extension reflects the administration’s commitment to industrial development. Boosting local value addition, and advancing the goals of the ‘Renewed Hope’ Agenda.
“The ban designed to enhance Nigeria’s processing capacity, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities. And promote the export of value-added products,” the statement read.
To achieve these goals, President Tinubu has tasked the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment. Along with the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to implement a unified, evidence-based framework. This framework will align industrialization, trade, and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.
Additionally, the president approved the adoption of an export framework developed by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX). He also ordered the withdrawal of all waivers that previously allowed the direct export of raw shea nuts. Any surplus raw shea nuts must now exported exclusively through the NCX framework, following approved guidelines.
President Tinubu further directed the Federal Ministry of Finance to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window. This will enable the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism aimed at strengthening production and processing capacity.
Onanuga emphasized that the federal government remains committed to policies that foster inclusive growth. Support local manufacturing, and position Nigeria as a competitive player in global agricultural value chains.
