Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has praised the Federal Government’s recent ban on exporting raw shea nuts, a move that will empower local processors and create new opportunities in the agricultural value chain.
She said the ban, which will reduce exploitation of raw products and stimulate domestic value addition, is a major step towards strengthening Nigeria’s agro-processing sector, particularly for women who dominate the industry.
The ban is a major step towards boosting local agro-processing capacity, empowering women to scale their businesses, improve household incomes, and contribute to national food security, she added.
The workshop, jointly organized by the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, aimed to equip women farmers with modern skills, knowledge, and access to global markets.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim, highlighted the paradox of Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, where women constitute nearly 70% of the labor force but remain under-represented in land ownership, credit access, mechanisation, and leadership roles.