Kwara hails Tinubu’s shea nuts export ban, set to launch 50-tonne processing plant

Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has expressed his strong support for President Bola Tinubu’s recent ban on the exportation of raw Shea nuts, viewing it as a crucial step towards enhancing the local economy.

In a statement made on Wednesday, the governor highlighted that the ban is expected to promote increased production and enrich the local value chain of this valuable cash crop.

The timing coincides with the launch of a new 50-tonne Shea processing factory in Kaiama, which will be the second largest in Nigeria and the largest owned by a state government.

“This presidential directive will undoubtedly spur local production, enhance quality, and generate numerous jobs across the value chain,” AbdulRazaq stated.

He explained that the factory is designed to stimulate economic opportunities in Kwara North, particularly benefiting the local workforce, including women farmers and pickers.

“Locating the factory within Kaiama puts the people at the center of local Shea production, ensuring they reap the benefits through job creation and value retention,” he added.

The governor noted that the project exemplifies a model of backward and forward integration while consolidating sourcing, processing, and market access in one region.

Kwara and Niger states are recognized as key areas for Shea nut cultivation in Nigeria, with Kwara North alone home to over 250,000 native and producing trees across 6,000 hectares of land.

On August 26, President Tinubu announced a six-month temporary ban on the export of raw Shea nut to mitigate informal trade and boost local processing efforts.

The initiative is geared towards elevating Nigeria’s Shea industry, with a target of generating approximately $300 million annually within a short timeframe.

Source: PUNCH