The Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI) has convened a major Stakeholders’ Validation Session on the raw shea nut export ban, bringing together representatives from across Nigeria’s shea value chain. The session, held on 19th February 2026 and chaired by the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, highlighted the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive consultation, transparency, and evidence-based policymaking.
Minister Oduwole thanked participants, including processors, exporters, aggregators, and rural women, for their detailed contributions, noting that prior submissions were carefully reviewed to ensure shared understanding. She emphasized that the government’s approach balances the right of Nigerians to earn a livelihood with the need to strengthen the nation’s economic foundation.
She assured stakeholders that a comprehensive briefing, based on verified data and diverse perspectives, will be presented to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a final decision on whether to extend or adjust the current raw shea nut export policy.
The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, stressed ongoing collaboration between ministries and encouraged continued submission of verifiable data to ensure an equitable policy outcome. Minister of State for Industry, John Owan Enoh, linked the discussion to Nigeria’s broader industrialization goals, highlighting growth in domestic processing capacity and the need for policy consistency to attract investment.
Representing the Permanent Secretary of FMITI, Mohammed Naziru Abbas noted that the export restriction was introduced as a temporary measure to stimulate value addition and industrial growth, supported by a conducted impact assessment.
The session concluded with a shared commitment to policies that strengthen Nigeria’s leadership in the global shea industry while protecting livelihoods and promoting economic transformation. Stakeholders were encouraged to update or resubmit data and recommendations ahead of the government’s final policy decision.
