Abuja: The Federal Government has assured Shea nut stakeholders that it will review the export ban, citing concerns over its impact on local producers, exporters, and foreign exchange earnings. Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, provided this assurance during a Stakeholders’ Validation Session on the Raw Shea Nut Ban in Nigeria.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the federal government announced a six-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts on August 26, 2025. The ban was implemented to boost local processing, encourage value addition, and prevent the export of raw materials. This initiative aims to transform Nigeria from a raw material supplier to a global hub for refined Shea products.
Dr. Oduwole stated that the ministry would objectively brief President Bola Tinubu after consultations with stakeholders across Nigeria’s Shea value chain. This objective assessment will guide the decision on whether the ban on Shea nut exports should be extended immediately or deferred. She emphasized that the government recognizes the right of citizens to earn a living and contribute to national development, ensuring that all inputs would be carefully reviewed and consolidated.
The minister highlighted that the ministry engaged widely with stakeholders to ensure all perspectives were considered in the ongoing policy deliberations. Formal submissions were received from the umbrella association, and engagement sessions were held with various industry representatives. These submissions were reproduced and circulated at the meeting to promote transparency and shared understanding.
Dr. Oduwole further explained that relevant departments within the ministry worked jointly on the matter and were adequately represented. She personally reviewed the submissions internally to assess the ministry’s position ahead of broader consultations. The diversity of participants reflected the ministry’s commitment to inclusive decision-making, allowing all participants the opportunity to express their views freely.
Senator John Enoh, Minister of State for Industry, emphasized that policy decisions prioritize the availability of raw materials for local processing. He stated that the ministry’s mandate aligns with the president’s development agenda, particularly in strengthening domestic industrial capacity. Enoh pointed out that available data showed progress in processing capacity since earlier policy measures were introduced and stressed the importance of policy consistency to sustain investor confidence and support industrial growth.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that the meeting aimed to review the recent ban objectively, stressing the need for verified facts and transparency. He noted that government decisions were made to protect jobs and encourage local value addition, urging stakeholders to collaborate effectively and provide factual input to guide future decisions in the best interest of the country.
Ambassador Nura Rimi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, represented by Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Mohammed Abbas, noted that the ministry had conducted structured consultations with key public and private sector stakeholders in the sector. These engagements allowed the ministry to gather evidence-based market intelligence, evaluate operational conditions, and formulate a draft institutional position grounded in industry data and formal stakeholder inputs.