President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Orders Temporary Ban On Export Of Raw Shea Nuts With Immediate Effect

 President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced an immediate temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts, a move aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s domestic shea processing industry.

The decision, revealed via a post on X by Arise News is said to come amid growing concerns over the depletion of local raw materials and the economic marginalization of women-led small-scale processors. The ban, effective as of today, has sparked both optimism and apprehension among stakeholders in Nigeria’s $600 million West African shea market.

According to a report by Punch, Nigeria, a global leader in shea nut production, contributes over 50% of the world’s supply, with key states like Niger and Kwara driving output. The Ghana Shea Employers Association’s 2025 appeal, echoed in a Business & Financial Times report, highlighted how foreign buyers have been siphoning raw nuts, leaving local processors struggling.