News Agency of Nigeria
Tinubu approves 6-month temporary ban on export of sheanuts
Agriculture , Business

Tinubu approves 6-month temporary ban on export of sheanuts

75 total views today

Ban

By Salisu Sani-dris

President Bola Tinubu has approved a 6-month temporary ban on the export of raw sheanuts to curb informal trade, boost local processing, protect and grow Nigeria’s shea industry.

Vice-President Kashim Shettima announced the president’s directive during a multi-stakeholder meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ban, which is with immediate effect, is subject to review on expiration.

It is aimed at boosting Nigeria’s shea value chain to generate around 300 million dollars annually in the short term.

Shettima explained that the ban was a collective decision involving the sub-nationals and the Federal Government with clear directions for economic transformation in the overall interest of the nation.

He, therefore, called on the Federal Ministry of Finance and other relevant government agencies to fast-track enforcement.

The vice-president said the decision was not “an anti-trade policy” but a pro-value addition policy designed to secure raw materials for  processing factories.

He added that the decision would  enable industries run at full capacity thereby boosting rural income and jobs for our people.

” The decision will transform Nigeria from an exporter of raw shea nut to a global supplier of refined shea butter, oil and other derivatives, ” he said.

Shettima said it was about industrialisation, rural transformation, gender empowerment and expanding Nigeria’s global trade footprint.

On opportunities for job creation and income generation, the vice-president said, “Nigeria produces nearly 40 per cent of the global shea product.

” Yet, we account for only 1% of the market share of 6.5 billion dollars.

“This is unacceptable. We are projected to earn about $300 million annually in the short term, and by 2027, there will be a 10-fold increase. This is our target.”

He stated that the government was not closing doors; but opening opportunities.

” Mr President is currently in Brazil, and both countries have agreed to prioritize access for Nigerian shea butter and oil into the Brazilian market.

”  This process will be completed within the next 3 months,” the vice-president added.

He highlighted the gender dimension of the policy, adding, “by protecting the shea industry, we are protecting livelihoods, dignity and opportunity for millions of our women.

“We are not closing doors, we are opening better ones.

“Today, we plant the seeds of an industry that will yield fruit for decades to come for our women, for our economy, and for Nigeria’s place in global trade.”

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said that Nigeria was the world’s largest producer of sheanuts, contributing nearly 40 per cent of the global supply.

He, however, said that Nigeria captured less than one per cent of the multi-billion-dollar global shea economy.

Kyari said, ” Nigeria produces an estimated 350,000 metric tonnes of shea annually across 30 states, with the potential to reach nearly 900,000 metric tonnes.

” Yet our share of the 6.5-billion-dollar global market is less than one per cent.

” The Rapid Assessment of the Shea Value Chain, conducted by the the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment and in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, provided the evidence that shaped this Presidential directive.”

The minister said the assessment showed that over 90,000 metric tonnes of raw shea were lost each year in informal cross-border trade.

He added, ” Nigeria’s processors operate at only 35 to 50 per cent capacity despite a national installed capacity of 160,000 metric tonnes.”

Kyari said regional neighbours such as Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Togo had already imposed restrictions to protect their industries,.

According to him, Nigeria is vulnerably left “as the outlier and a hotspot for opportunistic and unregulated buying.

While underscoring the enormous potential of the shea trade for Nigeria, the minister said that the shea sector could generate more than $300 million  annually in the short term.

” And position Nigeria to capture a significant share of the projected $9-billion global market by 2030.

“Shea is one of the few commodities where our country holds both a comparative and absolute advantage.

” With over five million hectares of wild-growing shea trees, Nigeria has the natural endowment to dominate not only in production but also in value-added processing.

“Shea is also identified in our Zero Oil Plan as a strategic non-oil export. With a projected global market growth from 6.5 billion dollars today to nine billion dollars by 2030.

” Nigeria can position itself at the heart of this expansion,” Kyari stated.

He said that since 90 per cent of pickers and processors of shea were women, investments in this value chain would directly translate into women’s empowerment, rural job creation, and sustainable livelihoods.

This, he said, aligned with the Tinubu administration’s focus on women empowerment.

Kyari said, ” And the pledge by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security “not only to support the rural population but also to create a pathway for national economic development.

” The reasons for this presidential directive are clear.

“Without corrective action, Nigeria risked becoming a raw depot for opportunistic and illicit buyers, undermining our processors’ capacities, disempowering rural women, and forfeiting billions in potential export revenues.

“The Federal Government rapid assessment, which engaged over 2,000 pickers and 65 processors, confirmed the urgent need for action.

”  Informal exports, estimated at 90,000 metric tonnes annually, are draining our domestic supply.”

According to the minister, with neighbours like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Togo already restricting raw exports, Nigeria risked being left as the region’s raw depot.

Kyari said, “The benefits of the temporary ban are equally compelling.

“It will secure domestic supply, enable processors to operate at full capacity, curb informal trade, and lay the foundation for Nigeria to transition from exporting raw kernels to exporting high-value derivatives such as butter, olein, and stearin.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

Airline operators place  indefinite ‘No Fly’ ban on Ibom Air passenger
Aviation

Airline operators place  indefinite ‘No Fly’ ban on Ibom Air passenger

415 total views today

Ban

By Itohan Abara-Laserian

The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has placed a ‘No Fly’ ban on Comfort Emmanson, a passenger who allegedly became unruly aboard Ibom Air flight Q9 303, from Uyo to Lagos, on Sunday.

This is contained in a statement signed by the spokesperson for AON, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, on Monday in Lagos.

The AON condemned the alleged unruly behaviour including physical assault on a crew member.

It described it as the most severe case of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed in 2025.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emmanson allegedly refused to comply with safety protocol  on use of mobile phone during landing at the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two.

She allegedly became violent when approached by flight crew members  and other airport personnel before she was handed to airport security operatives.

AON said: “We have reviewed the detailed statement issued by Ibom Air regarding the incident, and we commend the airline for its swift and professional handling of this unfortunate event and fully endorse the actions taken.

“The incident,  from the initial refusal by the passenger to comply with safety instructions regarding mobile phone usage which led to brutal physical assault on Ibom Air crew members and the attempted use of a fire extinguisher as a weapon, constitutes one of the most severe case of unruly passenger behaviour witnessed this year.

“This was not just disruptive; it was a sustained, violent attack that placed the lives of crew, passengers and the integrity of the aircraft itself at risk.”

It said that such an incident had become one too many.

“This behaviour is unacceptable; therefore, the AON has placed Ms Emmanson on its ‘No Fly’ list indefinitely,” it said.

According to the association, Emmanson is banned from flying with any aircraft belonging to any member of AON locally  and internationally.

“The AON urgently calls on FAAN to immediately review and tighten security procedures at all airports across the country.

“The AON stands united with Ibom Air and all our members in maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward unruly passengers.”

It warned that anyone  exhibiting such a behaviour would suffer a similar consequence.

“While we recognise the rights of passengers to express their grievances, such actions must follow due process.

“We are committed to protecting our employees, passengers and equipment,  as well as maintaining the highest safety standards,” it said. (NAN) www.nannews.ng

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola

NAFDAC debunks rumoured shutdown of noodles factory
Health

NAFDAC debunks rumoured shutdown of noodles factory

318 total views today

By Aderogba George

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has issued a formal disclaimer concerning an audio recording circulating on social media.

The audio recording falsely claims the agency shut down the Tummy Tummy noodles manufacturing facility in Anambra State.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Director-General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, clarified that the viral recording was not only misleading but also a recycled falsehood.

According to her, the same audio first appeared in Oct. 2023 and was thoroughly investigated at the time.

“The claims made in the recording are entirely false.

“The Tummy Tummy noodles facility in Anambra State was not sealed,” she stated.

Adeyeye explained that NAFDAC had conducted an unscheduled inspection of the facility, during which samples of four different noodle variants were collected and analysed at the agency’s Agulu laboratory.

 “The results were satisfactory, and no regulatory violations were found,” she added.

She further noted that the audio falsely alleged that NAFDAC banned other food products such as tinned tomatoes and seasoning cubes like Maggi.

“This is completely untrue.

“The individual who made these claims also falsely stated they were working in collaboration with NAFDAC and mentioned the presence of ‘acetyl methyl’ as a preservative, an assertion that is both unfounded and misleading,” she said.

Addressing public concerns about product safety, Adeyeye recalled that NAFDAC had already conducted a comprehensive investigation in 2023 following global alerts about the presence of ethylene oxide in instant noodles.

She said the findings confirmed that neither ethylene oxide nor its derivatives were present in any instant noodles or seasonings produced in Nigeria.

She also assured the public that tests for contaminants such as mycotoxins and heavy metals revealed levels well within internationally accepted safety standards, reaffirming the safety of Nigerian-made noodles.

“NAFDAC urged the public to disregard the audio and refrain from sharing unverified information.

“NAFDAC remains committed to its mandate of safeguarding public health by ensuring that only safe, high-quality, and properly regulated food and drug products are available to Nigerians,” the statement said. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Saudi authorities ban political, sectarian expressions at Hajj sites
Foreign

Saudi authorities ban political, sectarian expressions at Hajj sites

380 total views today

By Deji Abdulwahab

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior has announced a strict ban on taking photographs, videos or raising political and sectarian expressions at main Hajj sites.
In a statement, the ministry emphasised that pilgrims are prohibited from taking photographs or recording videos within Masjid al-Haram in Makkah, Masjid an-Nabawi in Madinah.
Other location where such is banned include Mina, Arafat, and Muzdalifah.

Officials have stressed that such actions could undermine the spiritual atmosphere of Hajj and risk sowing division among pilgrims who come from across the globe.

The ministry reaffirmed that the pilgrimage is a sacred time dedicated to worship, humility, and unity, and any conduct that contradicts these values would not be tolerated.

”Pilgrims are strongly encouraged to adhere to the regulations and cooperate fully with authorities to ensure that Hajj 2025 is conducted in a peaceful, orderly, and spiritually enriching environment.

“Security personnel will be deployed throughout the pilgrimage period to monitor and enforce these regulations.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

Hajj without permit attracts 100,000 riyals fine, 10-year ban- Envoy
Foreign

Hajj without permit attracts 100,000 riyals fine, 10-year ban- Envoy

309 total views today

By Deji Abdulwahab

Dr Modibbo Umar, Charge De Affaires, Nigerian Embassy, Riyadh, says pilgrims performing the 2025 Hajj without permit are liable to 100,000 riyals fine, 10 years ban and deportation.

Umar said this at the Hajj 2025 Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting, organised by the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) in Makkah on Monday.

The envoy recalled that during the 2024 Hajj, the fine for illegally performing Hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals.

He therefore urged Nigerian pilgrims to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of their host.

“We have very strong advice for our pilgrims. We need to be law-abiding and follow the rules and regulations of our hosts for the duration of our pilgrimage here.

“We should also let our people around here know that the Saudi authorities this year have sent very strong signals that Hajj without permit will not be condoned.

“They have raised the stake. Last year the fine for illegally performing Hajj without a permit was 50,000 riyals.

”This time around, their message is 100,000 riyals, including deportation and being banned from the Kingdom for 10 years. So, please I urge you to tell our people all this,” he said.

The Charge De Affaires also urged Nigerian pilgrims to pray for Nigeria in order to leave a better country for future generation.

“We will like to use this opportunity to call on all our pilgrims who are in this holy sessions of the Hajj, to pray for our country and Muslims all over the world.

“May we have a world that is far better than what it is now for our children and our grandchildren,” he said.

In his remarks, the Chairman, NAHCON, Prof. Abdullahi Saleh, said the common goal of the Pre-Arafat Stakeholders’ meeting was to ensure that Nigerian pilgrims get the benefits and services they deserve.

According to Saleh, as stakeholders, our job is like that of a servants to the Nigerian pilgrims and they are the reason why we are here today.

“We have to serve them to the best of our ability because they have paid for that.

“Whether you are from the states, service provider, medical teams, security, media or even from the NAHCON staff, your engagement in Hajj operation is like a contract to serve the pilgrims.”

The NAHCON chairman sued for teamwork, which he said was one of the keys to success as no one person could do it alone.

“We must listen to each other, support one another and put the needs of our pilgrims first.

“I urge every one of us to work towards the success of this important five days period in the lives of pilgrims.

”Pilgrims are our guests and more importantly they are the guests of our creator, Allah,” he added.

Similarly, Prince Anofi Elegushi, the Commissioner of Operations, NAHCON, said the purpose of Pre-Arafat meeting was to inform the stakeholders on arrangements and measures put in place for 2025 Hajj rites.

Elegushi said that it had been a tradition that a few days before Arafat and moving to Mina, there would be a pre-Arafat stakeholders’ meeting.

“This is a way of informing our stakeholders on the journey so far and what we are still going to face in the Hajj process.

“So, this is a session where information will be disseminated on how to go about the rest of the process.

“It is also an avenue where people will raise questions and find solutions to issues affecting them,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Remi Koleoso/Deborah Coker

FCTA bans scavenging, suspends pantaker operations in Abuja
Defence/Security

FCTA bans scavenging, suspends pantaker operations in Abuja

975 total views today

By Philip Yatai

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has banned scavengers from operating in the territory.

The Commissioner of Police in FCT, Olatunji Disu announced the ban while briefing newsmen after the FCT Security Committee Meeting in Abuja on Monday.

Disu said that the scavengers were allowed to operate only on dumpsites located in the outskirts of the city and the suburbs.

“All security agencies have been tasked with ensuring that this order is enforced, beginning from Jan. 14,” he said.

The commissioner added that the committee also banned the operation of pantaker markets for two weeks, beginning from Tuesday across the FCT.

Pantaker is a market for the sales of fairly used items and scrap iron, including furniture and home appliances.

He explained that the two weeks suspension was to allow security agencies to profile the pantaker operators.

This, he said, would ensure that only legitimate operators operate in Pantakers across the FCT.

He said that the committee had concluded that everybody arrested for vandalising public infrastructure would be charged to court and tried for economic sabotage and if possible, attempted murder.

He noted that because the punishment for such offences was usually community service or fine, the offenders return to commit more crimes.

“The punishment given to them is so menial that we notice that we are recycling these criminals.

“The activities of the vandals are enough to kill residents of the FCT because when they remove manhole covers on the road, it can cause the death of people driving at night,” Disu said.

According to him, anybody vandalising public infrastructure is vitalising the joint property of all residents of the FCT.

“Numbers have been given out; if you see anything, say something.

“Let’s join hands to ensure that we protect all government infrastructures.” (NAN)

Edited by Mark Longyen

FG lifts 5-year ban on mining exploration in Zamfara
Economy/Business

FG lifts 5-year ban on mining exploration in Zamfara

693 total views today

By Martha Agas

The Federal Government has lifted the ban on mining exploration and other related activities in Zamfara, after five years.

The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake disclosed this at a press briefing on Sunday in Abuja.

Alake said the move was made following significant improvement on the security situation in the state.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls  that the Federal Government banned all forms of mining activities in Zamfara in 2019, following alarming reports of banditry and its link to illegal mining.

Alake  said that insecurity in the state had been reduced to a manageable level to facilitate the operation of legitimate mining activities.

He said that reversing the ban would support efforts to boost the country’s economic profile, particularly as the state possessed critical minerals in commercial quantities needed for energy transition.

“The nation has a lot to gain from reawakened economic activities in a highly mineralised state like Zamfara that is imbued with vast Gold, Lithium, and Copper belts,” he said.

The minister explained that the ban had created a vacuum, which was exploited by illegal miners to rob the nation of its resources.

“The concomitant result was the colossal loss of revenue to the affected communities, local government, the state and the Federal Government as legitimate owners were forced to shut down operations,” he explained.

According to Alake, President Bola Tinubu is determined to address insecurity in the country by deploying intelligence-gathering and other security operations to neutralise merchants of insecurity

He stated that Tinubu’s strategy had led to the neutralisation of key bandit commanders, thereby significantly reducing incidents of insecurity across the nation.

“ A recent success was the capture of one of the most wanted bandit commanders, Halilu Sububu, in a covert operation in Zamfara.”

According to him,  the government is responsible for  protecting lives and property, and contingency plans have already been made to protect mining operators in Zamfara and other states.

He further explained that the strategies adopted to achieve the feat were increased intelligence gathering by relevant security agencies, who would work alongside the mining operators.

The minister stated that  lifting of the ban would also facilitate better regulation of mining activities in the state.

He added that the host communities would also benefit from the ban lift through the implementation of corporate social responsibility projects by the mining companies.

According  to him,  the move will ensure the country benefits from the state’s rich mineral resources, and the significant contributions of the sector to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

In another development, the minister explained the provisions of its Memorandum of Understanding(MOU) with France, on boosting mining in the country.

He reassured that the agreement does not imply Nigeria was relinquishing control over its mineral resources or entering into any military pact with France.

NAN recalls that the minister on Dec. 1,  announced an MOU with France to develop joint projects to promote and diversify the value chain of the critical minerals in the solid minerals sector of both countries.

The partnership is also to open opportunities for the remediation of more than 2,000 abandoned pits in the country through environmental rehabilitation and post-mining projects intervention plans.

“The high point of the MOU is on training and capacity building for our mining professionals.

“We need all the assistance we can get in terms of capacity, technical, and financial support from abroad, and that wasn’t even the first we are signing,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Chioma Ugboma

Sachet Alcohol: NAFDAC urges manufacturers to comply with ban
General News

Sachet Alcohol: NAFDAC urges manufacturers to comply with ban

448 total views today

 

By Aderogba George

The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, has urged manufacturers and distributors of alcoholic beverages to comply with the ban on satchet and PET bottles alcohol.

 

She made the call when she featured on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja on Sunday.

 

Emphasising that alcohol in PET bottles had been banned, she cautioned distributors and retailers to desist from sale and distribution of the banned product.

 

She recalled the ministerial ban and the agreement signed by Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria in 2018.

 

The NAFDAC boss said that the agreement, which introduced a phased withdrawal process, reached final phase of ensuring complete removal of the banned products from markets.

 

She noted that the agency stopped registering and renewing licences for these products since 2018, as manufacturers were given ample time to exhaust stocks and halt production.

 

She said that enlightenment campaigns and stakeholder engagements were conducted to ensure compliance with the ban.

 

She expressed concern over alcohol consumption among teenagers and youths, saying that the satchet size and the cost make it easily accessible, but the impact could be devastating.

 

She reiterated the agency’s determination to safeguard public health through strict regulatory measures. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

X
Welcome to NAN
Need help? Choose an option below and let me be your assistant.
Email SubscriptionSite SearchSend Us Email