Kwara supports shea ban and prepares to launch a 50-tonne Shea plant in Kaiama to boost jobs, revenue, and local industry
The governor described the move as a “bold, necessary step” to transform Nigeria’s Shea value chain, stimulate local industry, and empower rural economies.
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This endorsement comes ahead of Kwara State’s commissioning of a 50-tonne-per-day Shea processing factory in Kaiama, the second largest in Nigeria and the biggest state-owned facility of its kind.
“The ban will promote local processing, improve product quality, and create real jobs in communities that need them most,” said AbdulRazaq in a statement on Wednesday.
He emphasized that the Shea butter plant is part of his broader economic strategy to activate grassroots industries and enhance value retention within the state.
Kaiama, located in Kwara North, was chosen to center local ownership and maximize impact among rural dwellers—particularly women farmers and pickers deeply involved in Shea harvesting.
“Locating the factory in Kaiama puts our people at the heart of the industry—ensuring that benefits such as job creation and reduced post-harvest losses stay within the community,” the governor said.
Kwara North alone boasts over 250,000 Shea nut trees spread across 6,000 hectares, positioning the region as a key player in Nigeria’s Shea economy.
President Tinubu’s six-month ban, enacted on August 26, 2025, seeks to curb informal exports, deepen domestic value addition, and potentially drive \$300 million in annual revenue.
The governor also highlighted the project’s backward and forward integration—from sourcing raw nuts to processing and market access—all within one locality.
“This factory is not just about production; it’s about unlocking opportunity, stabilizing incomes, and building a resilient economy,” AbdulRazaq added.
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Kwara’s investment marks a significant power move toward economic self-sufficiency, aiming to make the state a Shea processing leader while supporting the federal government’s drive for industrialization and local content development.
