The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, says the recent temporary ban on raw shea exports by President Bola Tinubu aims to position Nigeria as a global leader in the shea economy.

Mr Idris said this at the 20th Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Northern Zonal Accountants’ Conference in Minna, Niger, according to a statement by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim, on Tuesday in Abuja.

The minister, represented by the director-general of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, said the temporary suspension is a bold and forward-looking measure to unlock the full potential of our rural economy.

“By insisting that more of our shea be processed locally, the president is ensuring that Nigeria, which accounts for over 50 per cent of the world’s shea production, does not remain a supplier of raw materials but becomes a global leader in high-value shea products,” he stated.

Mr Idris said that Niger State, the hub of shea production in Nigeria, will benefit tremendously from the initiative.

“This decisive step will stimulate local investment, drive technology transfer, and accelerate the development of processing capacity.

“It will also bring about the creation of quality jobs for our youth and women in rural communities, boost foreign exchange earnings, and deepen Nigeria’s participation in the global value chains,” he said.

He commended the National Shea Products Association of Nigeria (NASPAN) for embracing the president’s vision, adding that the federal government was providing the enabling environment to make it a reality.

According to the minister, the policy on shea is a critical plank of the president’s broader economic renewal drive, rooted in accountability, national reorientation, and inclusivity.

Mr Idris said accountability remained the cornerstone of every thriving society, and to unlock Nigeria’s future, citizens must collectively commit to doing things differently by living by the right values.

The minister also highlighted the ongoing reforms under the Renewed Hope agenda, which encompass fiscal discipline, infrastructure renewal, digital transformation, and youth empowerment.

He said that the construction of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal superhighway, the Badagry–Sokoto superhighway, the rehabilitation of the Eastern rail corridor, and the establishment of regional development commissions, among others, demonstrate an equitable distribution of resources guided by fairness and accountability under the present administration.

Mr Idris noted that the federal government was leveraging tools like the Treasury Single Account and the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) to tighten controls, reduce leakages, and restore discipline in how national resources were being managed.

According to him, Nigeria’s sustained improvement in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, moving from 145th position in 2023 to 140th in 2024, is not a fluke.

“It is the result of the diligent implementation of key policies that blocked leakages and promoted accountability and transparency,” he added.

(NAN)