The Federal Government has intensified efforts to reposition Nigeria’s shea industry for global competitiveness through stronger policy implementation, value addition, and deeper collaboration with processors.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholder engagement in Abuja, the Honourable Minister of State for Industry, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, said the Presidential directive on the shea export ban mark a strategic shift from exporting raw commodities to building a stronger industrial base. He said government would assess measurable outcomes ahead of the policy review scheduled for February 2027, including inspections to verify actual processing capacity.
Enoh stressed that the policy is aimed at ensuring Nigeria move beyond raw exports to capture greater value in the global shea market, while positioning the country for industrial growth and investment.
In his welcome remarks, Director of the Industrial Development Department, FMITI, Mr. Muhammad Bala, said the stakeholder engagement was convened to review progress, address bottlenecks, and secure commitments from processors. He noted that the meeting would also help shape Nigeria’s position in upcoming global engagements on the shea industry.
Representing industry players, Managing Director of Salid Agriculture Limited, Alhaji Ali Saidu, disclosed that processors had launched a data-driven study to assess the impact of the export ban and guide future decisions. He identified insecurity and smuggling as major challenges affecting access to shea nuts, but noted that recent policy measures had improved market conditions and helped stabilize prices.
Also speaking, Director, Group Corporate Affairs, Alhaji Sadiq Kassim, called for stronger regional collaboration among West African countries to curb raw exports and promote value addition. He urged Nigeria to move into refining and other higher-value processing segments to attract investment and consolidate its leadership in the global shea industry.
Stakeholders at the meeting agreed that expanding processing capacity, increasing investment, and ensuring measurable value addition are critical to sustaining progress, as the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to making Nigeria a dominant force in the global shea value chain.
