An advocacy group was skeptical on why Federal Government should just wake up over night to ban something without giving consideration or prior notice to people who have earlier contracts or have renewed their contract in order not to witness economic rascality in the system.
The group has also raised alarm over the Federal Government’s abrupt six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts, warning that the move could cost Nigerian exporters over $100 million.
Addressing press men at his office in Lagos, the National Coordinator of Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC), Chief Osita Chukwu had condemned the lack of prior notice, describing the decision as “outrageous” and “unjust.”
He explained that many exporters had already secured international contracts worth millions of dollars, obtained loans, completed documentation, and transported their goods to the ports—only to be turned away due to the sudden policy shift.
"How could you believe that somebody may have mortgage his house or properties or make collateral through the bank to get money, procure a cargo , and produce have already procure, paid the owner, containers have been paid from shipping company, paid for truck that will move the seed, only to wait for the vessel, and when the vessel arrived, you now hear the news, is it not a sad news, it is very sad and condemnable".
Chief Chukwu emphasized that while he does not oppose trade regulations, such measures must be implemented with adequate notice to protect businesses already engaged in legitimate transactions. He revealed that over 100 containers are currently stranded, with exporters facing potential losses exceeding $100 million.
He urged President Bola Tinubu to suspend the ban temporarily and allow exporters who are far along in the process to complete their shipments. He warned that failure to do so could be interpreted as a targeted attempt to cripple certain businesses and livelihoods.
"I call upon the president of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Secretary of the Federation of Nigeria, Minister of Finance, Minister of Trade and Investment, Nigeria Customs Service, Terminal Operators Shipping companies and Civil Societies to rally round and make sure that they do not sit on the fence and watch the economic loose to be on our great nation".
He lamented that although Nigeria produces nearly 40% of the world’s shea nuts—about 500,000 tonnes annually—it holds only 1% of the global market share due to the export of raw and low-quality processed products.
Recall that the Nigerian government, under President Tinubu, issued a directive on August 26, 2025, banning the export of raw shea nuts for a temporary period of six months citing the need to boost local processing and the shea butter industry.
Chukwu insisted that executive order which placed the ban on the export of shea nuts be lifted as people’s investments are trapped at the terminals.
He however noted that the stakeholders may be forced to resort to litigation if the ban is not lifted.
Chief Chukwu advised the government to allow the processed or about to be processed containers of Shea nut to be exported, adding that the Exporters be giving enough time before initiating such ban.
0 Comments