Tinubu Bans Export of Popular Nigerian Farm Produce
- President Bola Tinubu has announced a temporary ban on the exportation of raw shea nuts from Nigeria to other countries for six months
- Sen. Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, addressed journalists at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 26
- This came as Nigeria strengthened its bilateral relationship with several countries to boost the economy and trade, which includes exportation
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered a temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts with immediate effect.
This move is aimed at boosting processor utilisation, stopping informal trade, targeting higher export values, and stabilising the sector.
The six-month ban is specifically aimed at boosting the value chain of Nigeria's shea, projected to generate $300 million yearly in the short term.
Source: Twitter
Vanguard reported that Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, announced the development while addressing journalists at the presidential villa in Abuja on Tuesday, August 26.
Tinubu boosting Nigeria's alliances with other countries
The six-month shea nut export ban comes as President Tinubu meets leaders of other countries in the bid to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and other countries. The West African nation is currently partnering with several countries in different areas, including import and export.
The announcement was made as Tinubu's visit to Brazil secured major memoranda of understanding between Nigeria and the South American country in the areas of agriculture, trade, and aviation. This would be the third time the President meets his Brazilian counterpart, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
List of agreements between Nigeria and Brazil
So far, Nigeria and Brazil have signed four memoranda of understanding. These were disclosed by Mohammed Idris, the Nigerian Minister of Information and National Orientation.
Below are the agreements between the countries so far:
- In 2024, Brazil's biggest meat processor announced a $2.5 billion investment plan for Nigeria, which would see six meat processing factories built in the country.
- An agreement was reached on a $1.1 billion Green Imperative Partnership (GIP), a Brazil-supported government-to-government initiative that will deliver 10,000 tractors and 50,000 pieces of agric equipment, to be assembled and maintained in Nigeria, creating jobs and building capacity.
- The Tinubu administration has also worked hard to revive and reinvigorate the Nigeria-Brazil Strategic Dialogue Mechanism, after a lull, with Nigeria hosting an edition two months ago in Abuja, attended by the Brazilian Vice President.
- Another area of bright promise saw plans underway to resume direct flights between the two countries.
Source: Twitter
Shea ban needs private sector backing – Expert
Agricultural consultant, Dr. Muhammadu Sanusi, has cautioned that the federal government’s six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts will not achieve its intended impact without strong private sector backing.
“Banning alone will not be impactful if there's no government support for private sector investment,” he told Legit.ng.
He explained that, without such measures, “it will only distort the market and cause losses for the shea nut farmers due to limited market options.”
Dr. Sanusi, who is also the managing director of Mafa Integrated Farms, urged the government to provide financing and infrastructure:
“Government should encourage investment through loans, grants, infrastructure like creation of processing zones that have all the necessary facilities like electricity, access roads, security, water, etc.”
The expert agreed that the sector holds significant potential:
“As the government rightly observed, there's a huge potential in value addition. The sector can generate up to $300 million annually or more. When we export raw Sheanuts, we are not harnessing the potential. We are taking opportunities to other countries to make more.”
He also emphasised policy stability:
“There has to be the right policy and consistency in the government policy. Reversal of policies adversely affects investments. A good example is the Rice value chain, where Buhari's APC Government encouraged rice processing and milling while Tinubu's APC Government is reversing it by encouraging importation of brown rice and other grains into the country.”
According to him, sustained commitment is essential:
“There has to be a clear policy direction and sustainability to encourage investment in the area. Value addition is surely the best way for any agricultural value chain.”
Details on Tinubu's full speech in Brazil
Legit.ng earlier reported that President Tinubu addressed the gathering of the business community in Brazil alongside his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the address came after signing a series of memoranda of understanding between the countries.
President Tinubu's visit to Brazil to strengthen relationships came after he attended the 9th Tokyo International Conference for African Development, held in Japan.
Editorial assistant Ololade Olatimehin provided exclusive commentary from an agricultural consultant for this report.
Proofreading by Bruce Douglas, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with over 5 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023) by Legit.ng. Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng
Muhammadu Sanusi (Veterinary Public Health and Biosafety Expert) Dr. Muhammad Sanusi Yusuf is a seasoned veterinarian and academic with extensive experience in veterinary public health, dairy farming, and biosafety. He holds a DVM, an MSc in Veterinary Public Health, and is pursuing a PhD at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. A Fellow of the College of Veterinary Surgeons of Nigeria, he serves as Lecturer I at ABU and Managing Director of Mafa Integrated Farms Ltd. His expertise spans clinical practice, research, and project management in livestock health and production.
