Stakeholders Decry Shea Export Ban, Urge Inclusive Policy Making

Concerns implicit the Federal Government’s impermanent prohibition connected earthy shea seed exports dominated discussions astatine the Network of Practical Exporters of Nigeria (NPNEN) Town Hall. Stakeholders warned that the argumentation wounded section farmers, women, and tiny and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Participants, including representatives of the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) and different practitioners successful the shea worth chain, faulted the deficiency of consultation earlier the prohibition was announced.

Stakeholders astatine the September 19, 2025, lawsuit stressed that the abrupt argumentation displacement has disrupted businesses, undermined existing export contracts, and triggered smuggling activities crossed Nigeria’s borders.

Speaking astir argumentation implementation and stakeholder engagement, Dr Aderemi Apatira, Strategic Policy Engagement Expert, emphasised the value of inclusive policy-making and due stakeholder engagement, highlighting that galore erstwhile policies successful Nigeria had failed owed to inadequate connection and engagement with affected parties.

Also speaking, a participant, Blessing Nura Bosa, called for accrued engagement with legislative bodies to guarantee policies see concern impacts. At the aforesaid time, Ajibola Alfred stressed the request for NPN to instrumentality enactment by straight engaging with policymakers to power argumentation improvement alternatively than conscionable discussing issues.

The radical agreed that we indispensable place and prosecute with argumentation designers to code concerns astir the existent policy’s implementation timeline and interaction connected businesses and investors.

Beyond the shea sector, the gathering highlighted broader challenges successful Nigeria’s cultivation commercialized policies, citing caller bans connected cocoa beans, cashew nuts, and maize imports. Stakeholders warned that sudden, unilateral decisions discourage concern and contradict Nigeria’s commercialized commitments.

The municipality hallway resolved that NASPAN would papers the ban’s interaction with information and visuals, portion NPNEN compiles stakeholder feedback for onward connection to the government. Plans are besides underway for a broader stakeholder league successful February 2026 to propulsion for much structured engagement betwixt policymakers and the backstage sector.

Participants concluded that sustainable maturation successful the shea and cultivation export sectors requires evidence-based policymaking, accordant communication, and designation of backstage assemblage voices successful argumentation formulation.

Speakers urged the national authorities to follow a phased attack to implementing export restrictions, allowing exporters with existing contracts to fulfil obligations earlier enforcement. They besides called for targeted authorities enactment to mitigate losses suffered by SMEs.