Kwara State is set to commission a 50-tonne shea butter processing factory in Kaiama, described as the second largest in Nigeria and the biggest owned by any state government.
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq said the project will transform shea production in Kwara North by putting communities at the heart of value addition while reducing post-harvest losses.
The move aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s recent six-month ban on raw shea nut exports, aimed at encouraging domestic processing and creating jobs.
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“This factory is a deliberate step to stimulate local production, improve quality, and retain value within Kwara North,” AbdulRazaq said, noting its focus on women farmers and nut pickers who dominate the industry.
The facility is designed to integrate raw material sourcing, processing, and market access in one hub, ensuring local ownership of benefits such as job creation and income growth.
Nigeria currently produces 40% of global shea nuts but captures only 1% of the $6.5 billion global market. With the new policy, the Federal Government projects annual earnings of $300 million, potentially rising tenfold by 2027.
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