Mixed Reactions Trail Tinubu’s Six-Month Ban on Raw Shea Nut Exports

Industry stakeholders have expressed mixed reactions to President Bola Tinubu’s recent decision to suspend the export of raw shea nuts for six months.

The policy, announced Tuesday, is aimed at stimulating local processing, strengthening Nigeria’s agro-economy, and boosting non-oil export earnings. Shea, often called “women’s gold,” provides livelihoods for thousands of rural women, particularly in northern Nigeria.

Concerns over Implementation

Former NACCIMA President, Hon. Dele Kelvin Oye, welcomed the value-addition push but cautioned against hasty implementation without adequate consultation. He warned that poor execution could undermine investments and livelihoods.

Some exporters also raised concerns, noting that existing contracts worth millions of dollars may be jeopardized, potentially leading to defaults and debts.
Others warned of possible smuggling across Nigeria’s porous borders if domestic refining capacity remains weak.

Agricultural expert Grace Ajayi (University of Abuja) said processors face high energy costs, poor infrastructure, and limited credit access. “If enforced without addressing these challenges, farmers and collectors may suffer losses because processors won’t be able to absorb all the supply,” she said.

Regional Context

A government policy document notes that Nigeria is now the only country in the sub-region still allowing raw shea exports. Burkina Faso, Mali, Ghana, and Togo have all banned raw exports to boost local value addition.
This loophole, the government says, has turned Nigeria into a hub for opportunistic foreign buyers, worsening scarcity for local processors.

The document projects the ban could unlock $300 million annually in the short term, if enforced efficiently.

Opportunities in Value Addition

Trade analyst Dr. Ibrahim Musa stressed that Nigeria, despite being the world’s largest shea producer, benefits little from the $6.5 billion global market.
“Processing locally into shea butter, cosmetics, and other products can increase foreign exchange earnings, reduce oil dependency, and create jobs,” he said, pointing to Ghana and Burkina Faso as examples of success.

Implementation Timeline

According to official documents, implementation will be phased:

• Q3–Q4 2025: Establishment of aggregation centres in key producing states (Niger, Kwara, Kebbi).
• Customs Training: Deployment of officers to key border zones with new surveillance protocols.
• Q4 2025: Initial performance review to assess supply, trade formalization, and processor utilization.
• Q2 2026: Mid-term evaluation to guide adjustments.

Presidential Position

President Tinubu described the ban as a step to end Nigeria’s role as an exporter of raw poverty.

“Nigeria’s shea is our green wealth. We produce nearly 40% of the world’s supply, yet capture less than 1% of its $6.5bn global market. That imbalance ends now,” he said.

The government targets a tenfold increase in export revenue by 2027, with 99% of that coming from refined shea products.

Bigger Picture

The move comes as Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to $3.23 billion in H1 2025, up 19.6% from the same period last year, according to NEPC data.