FG to start mapping shea trees in 21 states to support export ban

The Raw Materials Research Development Council, (RMRDC) is set to commence partial mapping of shea nut trees in the 19 northern states of Nigeria, including Oyo and Kwara states in support of the federal government’s ban on export of raw shea nuts.

President Bola Tinubu recently approved a 6-month temporary ban on the export of raw shea nut to curb informal trade, boost local processing , protect and grow Nigeria’s shea industry.

Briefing the media in Abuja on Thursday, Nnanyelugo, Ike-Muonso, the director general, RMRDC said the mapping is aimed at estimating the number of trees, quality and value chain support it has in each state.

The DG who said the ban is a welcome development that aligns with the council’s long-standing advocacy for value addition to raw materials before export, said Nigeria boasts of millions of shea trees, with a state recording as high as a million metric tonnes.

“To support the ban, RMRDC plans to conduct a special mapping of Shea trees in the country, based on quantity and quality,” he said.

“This will provide investors with the necessary information to make informed decisions about investing in the Shea processing industry.”

He added that the council also plans to launch a national women cluster cooperative to train women on safety and best practices in Shea nut collection and processing.

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RMRDC will work with government agencies and other stakeholders to roll out processing equipment at cluster levels to enable smallholder operators to participate in the industry, he added.

Noting that shea nut trees is an endangered species as a result of the high demand for charcoal and mortars in Nigeria, the Don, emphasised that the ban on raw Shea nut export is a clarion call for Nigeria to stop exporting poverty and start exporting prosperity.

He assured that RMRDC is fully ready to drive this process, leveraging its statutory mandate, technical expertise, and partnerships with processors, cooperatives, financiers, and state governments.

He further stated that the RMRDC had developed a five-year roadmap for the shea value chain, which includes strategies for increasing local processing and value addition.

The council has also been working with stakeholders to upgrade technologies for Shea processing, particularly for women in rural areas.

He maintained that key initiatives of the five year plan include conducting a special mapping of Shea trees in the country, launch national women cluster cooperative for training on safety and best practices, Roll out processing equipment at cluster levels for smallholder operators, with government agencies and stakeholders to support plantation development of Shea tree plantations and establish a mechanism for reporting back to the presidency on progress

“The RMRDC is confident that with these initiatives, Nigeria can emerge as a global hub for Shea value addition, creating jobs, generating foreign exchange, and contributing to the country’s economic growth” he added.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.