FG’s Shea Nut Export Ban to Empower Rural Nigerians, Boost Local Economy – Kwara Gov. AbdulRazaq

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has hailed the recent decision by President Bola Tinubu to impose a six-month temporary ban on the exportation of raw shea nuts, describing it as a major step towards transforming the lives of rural Nigerians and unlocking the full potential of the country’s shea industry.

The governor praised the federal directive as a bold and people-centered policy that will encourage local processing, enhance value addition, and create sustainable jobs—especially for women in rural communities.

“This move is not just about regulating trade; it is about putting the Nigerian people first,” AbdulRazaq said in a statement on Wednesday. “The ban will strengthen our local value chain, reduce exploitation of rural farmers, and ensure that more of the economic benefits from shea production stay within our communities.”

Empowering Communities Through Local Industry

The governor’s remarks come as Kwara State prepares to launch a 50-tonne capacity shea butter processing factory in Kaiama—set to become the second-largest in Nigeria and the largest state-owned facility in the country. The factory is a cornerstone of Governor AbdulRazaq’s broader economic development agenda, aimed at stimulating growth in Kwara North, a region rich in natural shea resources.

“Locating the factory in Kaiama puts the people at the center of local shea production,” the governor explained. “It guarantees local ownership of benefits such as job creation, reduced post-harvest losses, and significant value retention in the region.”

The project is expected to hire hundreds of local workers, including women farmers and pickers, who have long formed the backbone of the shea value chain but have historically earned little due to unregulated trade and poor processing infrastructure.

A Game-Changer for Rural Nigeria

Kwara and Niger States are home to some of Nigeria’s richest shea-growing zones. Kwara North alone boasts over 250,000 native shea trees spread across 6,000 hectares. Despite this, Nigeria has until now captured just 1% of the $6.5 billion global shea market, even though it produces nearly 40% of the world’s annual crop.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who announced the ban, described Nigeria’s current earnings—estimated at $65 million annually—as “unacceptable” and said the aim is to grow that to $300 million in the short term.

“This is about industrialisation, rural transformation, gender empowerment, and expanding Nigeria’s global trade footprint,” Shettima said.

Ending Exploitation, Creating Value

Experts agree that the temporary ban will correct long-standing injustices faced by shea nut farmers. Dr. Ahmed Ismail of the Federal University of Minna noted that many rural producers, unaware of the true market value of shea nuts, have been exploited by middlemen who buy in bulk at extremely low prices.

“In many cases, shea nuts are sold off informally and smuggled out of the country,” Dr. Ismail said. “This ban, if properly regulated, will not only stop informal trade but also help poor farmers finally benefit from the global demand for shea products.”

Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari revealed that 25% of Nigeria’s 350,000-tonne annual crop is lost to unregulated cross-border trade. By encouraging domestic refining, the new policy is expected to curb these losses and foster economic self-reliance.

A Path to Sustainable Development

The federal ban is temporary—set for six months—but subject to review. Many stakeholders, including the Kwara State government, see it as a critical first step in building a more inclusive and sustainable shea industry.

“This decision is visionary,” AbdulRazaq concluded. “It aligns perfectly with our development goals in Kwara, and more importantly, it prioritizes the welfare of everyday Nigerians—especially those in rural communities who have been left behind for too long.”