Federal Government has approved the extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts for another year, from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027.

This comes just after the initial six-month ban, which expired earlier this week.

This was made known in a statement issued yesterday by the special adviser to the President on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

He said the decision underscored the administration’s commitment to advancing industrial development and strengthening domestic value addition.

The statement added that the one-year ban aimed to deepen processing capacity in Nigeria, enhance livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and promote the growth of Nigerian exports anchored in value-added products.

To further the objectives, it noted that the President had also authorised the two ministers of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU), to coordinate the implementation of a unified, evidence-based national framework that aligns industrialisation, trade and investment priorities across the shea nut value chain.

The President also approved the adoption of an export framework established by the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX) and the withdrawal of all waivers allowing the direct export of raw shea nuts.

Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Finance has been directed to provide access to a dedicated NESS Support Window to enable the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment to pilot a Livelihood Finance Mechanism to strengthen production and processing capacity.

The federal Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, noted that the moves became necessary to accelerate the country’s industrialisation and maximise its agricultural wealth.