In a landmark move to industrialize Nigeria’s agricultural sector and capture greater value from its natural resources, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a six-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts (Vitellaria paradoxa).

The directive, which takes immediate effect, was conveyed through the Office of the Vice President. His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, stated, “We are not closing doors, we are opening better ones. Today we plant the seeds of an industry that will yield fruit for decades to come; for our women, for our economy, and for Nigeria’s place in global trade.”

The decision follows a rapid assessment by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU). The assessment revealed that despite producing nearly 40% of the world’s shea nuts; an estimated 350,000 metric tonnes annually, Nigeria captures less than 1% of the global shea market, valued at $6.5 billion.

This strategic policy is designed to protect and grow Nigeria’s domestic shea industry by halting the annual loss of over 90,000 metric tonnes of raw shea to informal cross-border trade. The ban will secure raw materials for local processors, who currently operate at only 35-50% capacity—boost jobs and incomes in rural communities, and protect a value chain where 95% of pickers and processors are women.

The decision positions Nigeria alongside regional leaders in shea production, including Ghana, Togo, Mali, and Burkina Faso, which have already implemented similar restrictions to develop their local processing industries and retain value within their economies.

Eniola Akindele, Data and Impact Assessment Manager of the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), underscored the untapped potential in the Shea value chain ‘’Shea has the potential to become Nigeria’s untapped goldmine. Beyond its well-known use in cosmetics, shea is increasingly in demand as a substitute for cocoa in global chocolate and confectionery industries. With the right processing capacity and investment platforms, Nigeria can transform its currently underutilized shea value chain into a billion-dollar industry, one that creates jobs, empowers women, and significantly boosts our foreign exchange earnings.”

Key agricultural stakeholders have hailed the presidential directive as a transformative game-changer for the Nigerian economy.

Architect Kabir Ibrahim, National President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) and the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), stated: “This is a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s agricultural industrialization. For decades, we have exported raw shea nuts only to import the finished products at a much higher cost. This policy corrects that imbalance. It is a strategic imperative that will stimulate investment in local processing facilities, create thousands of jobs for our youth and women in rural communities, and significantly increase our national export earnings from a commodity we are blessed with in abundance. We commend His Excellency, President Tinubu, for this bold and visionary action, and we hope that this initiative is extended to other value chains as well.”

Across the West African corridor, value addition for shea nut has been a big topic. “Regional neighbours such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo have already imposed restrictions to protect their industries, leaving Nigeria as the outlier and a hotspot for opportunistic and unregulated buying” says the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.

Another stakeholder who chose to remain anonymous emphasized the broader regional significance: “The synchronized action across West Africa is a powerful signal to the global market. Nigeria should not just be suppliers of raw materials; the country should be manufacturers and exporters of finished goods. This collective stance by shea-producing nations will give Africa much needed stronger negotiating power and ensure that the wealth generated from its natural resources benefits its people, communities and economies.”

After a very long time, it appears West African nations are taking a united and collective stand to ensure their resources are managed well for the betterment of the region.

Many of the stakeholders who expressed enthusiasm for the ban are hopeful that this is the beginning of a new trend where value addition is domesticated in Africa, thereby reversing the historic trend of exporting raw materials and importing processed goods.

Others, despite commending the administration’s commitment to value addition, have urged the Government to give more clarity as to the implementation and enforcement of the new policy, to prevent smuggling and other risks.

On the other hand, the government has announced that within the next three months, Nigerian shea butter and oil will have prioritized access into the Brazilian market; an opportunity, if well leveraged, that can bring huge gains to the industry.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has unveiled a major reform in Niger State’s livestock trade, announcing plans to halt the direct transportation of live cows and goats to markets in Lagos and Ogun states.

Under the new plan, livestock will be slaughtered and processed at Mokwa before being packaged and delivered as frozen products to the Southwest. According to the governor, this will improve hygiene, reduce waste, and ensure farmers capture more value from the livestock chain.

Speaking at the First Bank 2025 Agric and Export Expo in Lagos, Bago explained that value addition was key to reversing losses from exporting raw commodities. He revealed that Niger State had secured a $100 million offtake agreement with the Saudi Export and Import Bank to supply livestock to the Middle East, stressing that every part of the animal—from tripe to hooves—would now be fully utilized.

The governor also disclosed plans to partner with Lagos on LNG-powered cold-chain trucks for modern meat distribution. He emphasized that the initiative would raise meat quality, generate jobs in processing, and contribute to Nigeria’s economic diversification away from oil.

Bago urged banks to back such ventures, warning that nations that continue exporting raw products risk remaining “perpetually broke.”

The Enugu State Government has resolved to set up food and nutrition units in select ministries in the state in line with the national food policy.

This was even as the government announced that it would distribute 20,000 units of personal computers to 20,000 civil servants in furtherance of the digitization of process in the state’s public service.

These were made known by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Barr. Lloyd Ekweremadu; Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr. Malachy Agbo; and the Head of Service, Dr. Godwin Anigbo, while briefing Government House correspondents at the end of the State Executive Council meeting at the weekend.

“The Exco approved the establishment of a Food and Nutrition Unit in select line ministries that will be working together. This an opportunity for us to recommit to the administration’s promise and mandate to eradicate poverty in Enugu State, but in this regard, ensuring food security.

“Part of those Ministeries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that are involved in food programme as approved by the Exco are: The Ministry of Human Development and Poverty Eradication, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Trade, Investment, and Industry, Ministry of Budget and Planing, Ministry of Information and Communication, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Industrialisation. Those ministries are very key, particularly as they align with the governor’s vision of providing free meals at the Smart Green schools as they come on board,” Ekweremadu said.

Also briefing, the Head of Service said the provision of 20,000 units of computers would bring the digitization of the state’s public service into in full swing.

“This government is so interested in using technology to solve problems. When this digitization process takes full effect, we are going to have increased productivity in the public service, which will also help to track performance. Civil service is very critical in terms of implementation of systematic policies and critical reforms of this administration. The state government is committed,” he stated .

Meanwhile, the state government has equally expressed a heartfelt gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the appointment of the first University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Vice Chancellor of Enugu North Zone extraction.

“The Enugu Exco extended a profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding this illustrious son of Enugu, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, worthy to be appointed the VC of the UNN,” Agbo stated.