Raw Materials Council Backs Raw Shea Nut Export Ban

The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has strongly supported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s suspension of raw shea nut exports, describing the move as a strategic turning point in Nigeria’s industrialisation drive.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the Council’s director general, Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, said the six-month suspension would reposition the country as a global hub for shea processing and value addition.

He noted that Nigeria produces over 350,000 metric tonnes of shea nuts annually, yet more than 90 per cent is exported raw, costing the nation an estimated $200 million yearly in lost value. This is not a punishment but an opportunity to reorganise, retool, and fully take advantage of our position as the world’s largest producer, he said.

Prof. Ike-Muonso disclosed that the Council will coordinate implementation of the suspension by working with relevant ministries, agencies, financial institutions and processors to strengthen technology adoption, expand processing capacity and empower rural women who form the backbone of the value chain.

As part of these efforts, the DG led a delegation to SALID Agriculture Limited in Niger State, Nigeria’s largest shea nut refinery with a processing capacity of 30 metric tonnes per day. The facility, he said, demonstrates that Nigerian-owned companies can compete globally in shea butter production.

The managing director of SALID Agriculture, Alhaji Ali Saidu, applauded the federal government’s decision, stressing that the suspension will help structure the industry for sustainability and attract new investments. He also highlighted the role of women, noting that more than 15,000 women across 19 states currently supply nuts to the company.

The RMRDC boss commended the Niger State Government’s allocation of 10 hectares for new shea plantations, describing it as a long-term investment capable of generating thousands of jobs. He assured that the Council would continue to back private sector initiatives like SALID’s through technical and policy support.

The ban is a call to stop exporting poverty and start exporting prosperity, Prof. Ike-Muonso said. With coordinated action, Nigeria will not only dominate shea nut production but also claim global leadership in shea value addition.