**Tinubu Extends Shea Nuts Export Ban to Boost Domestic Industry** In what could be a major boost to Nigeria's industrial development, President Bola Tinubu has approved a one-year extension of the ban on the export of raw shea nuts. The decision, which was announced on Wednesday by the President's spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, delays the deadline from February 26, 2026, to February 25, 2027. This move aligns with the federal government's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to promote domestic value addition and strengthen Nigeria's export base through the production of high-value products. By extending the ban, Tinubu's administration seeks to deepen local processing capacity, improve livelihoods in shea-producing communities, and reduce reliance on raw material exports. The policy is particularly significant for shea nut-producing states in Nigeria's North, where the shea tree is abundant. Shea nuts are a valuable commodity, prized for their use in cosmetics, cooking oils, and other products. However, the lack of local processing facilities has led to the export of raw materials, depriving the country of the benefits of value addition. Under the new directive, the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and the Presidential Food Security Coordination Unit (PFSCU) will coordinate a unified national framework to drive industrialisation, trade, and investment in the shea nut value chain. The framework will be developed in collaboration with the Nigerian Commodity Exchange (NCX), which will oversee the export of raw shea nuts through its platform. To support the policy, the Federal Ministry of Finance will provide access to a dedicated loan window for shea nut producers and processors. This will enable them to upgrade their facilities and increase production, ultimately creating more jobs and stimulating economic growth in the sector. With this move, President Tinubu is signalling the government's commitment to developing Nigeria's industrial base and promoting economic diversification. By extending the ban on raw shea nut exports, he is giving the shea nut industry a much-needed boost, which could have far-reaching implications for the country's economic growth and development.