Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has welcomed President Bola Tinubu’s ban on the exportation of raw Shea butter, describing it as a bold move that will boost local production and strengthen the value chain of the cash crop.
The announcement comes as Kwara prepares to open its 50-tonne Shea butter processing factory in Kaiama — the second largest in Nigeria and the biggest to be owned by any state government.
Governor AbdulRazaq said the presidential directive would encourage investment, improve product quality, and create thousands of jobs across the Shea value chain. He added that the Kaiama factory is designed to stimulate economic activities in Kwara North, especially by empowering women farmers and pickers.
“Locating the factory in Kaiama puts the people at the centre of Shea production,” the governor noted. “It guarantees jobs, reduces post-harvest losses, and retains more value within the community. This project integrates raw material sourcing, processing, and market access in one location.”
Kwara and Niger remain Nigeria’s biggest Shea-producing states, with Kwara North alone boasting over 250,000 Shea trees across 6,000 hectares of land.
