The Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC) has outlined new measures to ensure that the Federal Government’s suspension of raw shea nut exports translates into sustainable growth for Nigeria’s shea industry and wider economy.
Director-General of the Council, Nnanyelugo Ike Muonso, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja, noting that the council is addressing key stakeholder demands to strengthen the shea value chain.
One of the first steps, he explained, is a nationwide mapping of shea trees to provide accurate data on available quantities and quality variations. “We are going to conduct a special mapping of shea trees in the country, based on quantity and quality, to guide investors and processors,” Ike-Muonso said.
He further announced that the council would rally industry stakeholders in the coming weeks to review and update the expired five-year shea industry roadmap. This, he noted, will ensure sustainable supply as more processors and investors come on board.
Another core focus is the empowerment of women, who play a central role in shea nut collection. The RMRDC will launch a national women’s cluster cooperative to provide training on improving the quality of shea nuts collected and processed, thereby enabling women to benefit more from the sector.
The council also plans to champion shea cultivation through plantation expansion. According to Ike-Muonso, discussions will be held with the United States government to support the development of a 10,000 hectare shea plantation.
In addition, the RMRDC has created a reporting mechanism to provide the presidency with regular updates on progress made in areas such as capacity utilisation, job creation, and foreign exchange savings from reduced raw exports.
“We have developed a mechanism to give regular reports to the presidency on jobs created, capacity utilised, and foreign exchange saved as a result of this decision,” the DG added.
With these steps, the council believes Nigeria can not only strengthen local processing but also position itself as a global hub for value-added shea products.
