Stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have expressed deep concern over the Federal Government’s temporary ban on the export of raw shea nuts, warning that the policy is hurting smallholder farmers, women, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.
The concerns were raised at a town hall meeting organized by the Network of Practical Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN), where participants—including members of the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) and practitioners across the shea value chain—criticized the lack of consultation before the ban was announced.
Speakers at the forum noted that the sudden restriction has disrupted existing export contracts, exposed farmers and exporters to heavy financial losses, and created opportunities for smuggling across Nigeria’s borders.
They stressed the need for more inclusive policymaking, evidence-based trade policies, and structured engagement between government and the private sector.
“The government must avoid knee-jerk policies that destabilize industries,” one participant warned, urging authorities to adopt a phased approach that allows businesses to adjust.
Comparative examples, such as Ghana’s management of its shea industry, were cited as models of how policy can be designed without undermining livelihoods.
The meeting also highlighted broader trade policy challenges, with speakers recalling similar problems in the cocoa and cashew sectors, where bans were imposed without adequate planning or consultation.
Participants called for unified private sector advocacy, stronger institutional frameworks for policy engagement, and increased support for local processing capacity.
As part of agreed next steps, NASPAN will develop a phased proposal for implementing export restrictions, submit data on the ban’s impact, and continue engagement with the Federal Government.
Exporters were advised to document their contract situations for possible exemptions, while NPNEN pledged to compile stakeholder feedback to present to policymakers.
The meeting also resolved that the Federal Government should consider measures to compensate SMEs who have suffered losses, allow existing contracts to be executed, and strengthen enforcement to prevent smuggling.
Plans are underway to convene a larger stakeholders’ conference in February to shape a more sustainable policy direction for Nigeria’s shea industry.
LV