The Director-General of the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), Prof. Nnanyelugo Ike-Muonso, has emphasised the need to develop a resilient, competitive, and inclusive shea industry to strengthen Nigeria’s economy.
Ike-Muonso, represented by the Council’s Deputy Director, South-West Coordinating Division, Mrs. Oluwakemi Ajani, made this known on Tuesday at a one-day Investors’ Forum on Shea Nut Resources and Development held in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The forum, themed “Enhancing Shea Nut Resources and Its Export Potential for Economic Value,” was organised by the RMRDC in collaboration with the Oyo State Government and other partners.
According to Ike-Muonso, investing in the shea sector could create thousands of jobs, secure livelihoods for women, and generate significant export revenue, thereby boosting the national economy and preserving vital ecosystems.
He said the forum provided opportunities for understanding resources, strengthening the value chain, forging strategic partnerships, and mobilising finance for sustainable growth.
“It represents a significant milestone in our collective drive to unlock the immense potential embedded in Nigeria’s raw material sector,” he said.
“Our mission at RMRDC has always been to promote sustainable industrial growth by fostering research, development, and investment opportunities that will strengthen local industries, reduce import dependency, and create wealth for our people.”
He described the event as a pivotal moment in efforts to develop the shea value chain for national growth and sustainable development.
While noting that Nigeria is abundantly endowed with shea trees, he lamented that the country, despite being one of the world’s largest producers, remains a marginal player in the global shea market.
He attributed this to the continued export of raw shea nuts with minimal value addition, which denies the nation the full benefits of its natural resources.
“This forum is not just a call to discussion but a call to action—to harness innovation, strengthen partnerships, and stimulate investments that will transform the shea nut sector.
“We must move from cultivation and processing to packaging, certification, branding, and export,” he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mrs. Abosede Owoye, described the shea tree as one of the most significant economic trees that form the cornerstone of rural livelihoods.
She said shea butter has enormous untapped potential to catalyse national economic growth.
“Shea butter possesses economic values that remain underutilised. We must confront the challenge of processing our raw materials to unlock their full potential.
“It is medicinal, creates employment, and can generate huge foreign exchange if its value chain is fully developed,” she said.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Investment, and Cooperatives, Mr. Olabode Adeniyi, represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Olayinka Raimi, also stressed the need for value addition to increase export earnings.
“We should focus more on processing and refining shea nuts into finished products to attract higher market value,” he said.
The Chairman of the occasion, Mr. John Karunwi, called for the involvement of key regulatory agencies such as NAFDAC in shea butter production to ensure international standards are met.
He also urged greater participation of youths and stakeholders in the sector to prevent the shea industry from declining.
“We have a complete value chain to explore to derive the full benefits of shea butter. Without sustained raw material production, the sector could face extinction,” he warned.
