©(AP Photo/David Durowaiye)
Pre-reading Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What products do you know that are made from plants or natural ingredients?
- What do you think is more helpful for people in small communities: farming or building factories?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- ban /ban/
[noun] – an official order that stops people from doing or using something
The city announced a six-month ban on plastic bags to reduce waste. - capacity /kuh-PAS-i-tee/
[noun] – the ability to hold, produce, or deal with something
The stadium has the capacity to hold 50,000 people for the football match. - investment /in-VEST-muhnt/
[noun] – the act of putting money, time, or effort into something to get benefits in the future
The country needs more foreign investment to improve its energy sector. - policy /POL-uh-see/
[noun] – a plan of action or set of rules made by a government, company, or organization
The school introduced a new policy to ban mobile phones during class. - debate /dih-BEYT/
[noun] – a discussion where people express different opinions about something
There was a public debate about whether the city should build a new airport.
Article Reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Nigeria has announced a six-month ban on the export of raw shea nuts, an important crop for the global cosmetics industry. The order, given in late August by Vice President Kashim Shettima, is meant to move Nigeria from selling raw nuts to exporting processed shea butter and related products. Other West African nations, such as Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, Ivory Coast, and Ghana, have introduced similar measures in recent years. Shea butter is made by crushing the nut and is widely used in lotions, shampoos, and skin creams. Nigeria produces about 40 percent of the world’s shea nuts but gains only 1 percent of the $6.5 billion market for finished shea goods. Officials said the ban aims to strengthen local industry, create jobs, and support rural communities, not to block international trade.
The decision comes as a major shea butter processing plant opens in Niger State, one of the largest in Africa. Projections suggest the ban could bring $300 million in the short term and as much as $3 billion by 2027. However, some experts warn that Nigeria’s processors may not yet have enough capacity to handle all the nuts. Reports note that more investment and infrastructure are needed. Observers also highlight a contradiction in policy, since President Bola Tinubu has recently promoted free-market reforms. This has raised debate about whether the ban will achieve long-term success.
The decision comes as a major shea butter processing plant opens in Niger State, one of the largest in Africa. Projections suggest the ban could bring $300 million in the short term and as much as $3 billion by 2027. However, some experts warn that Nigeria’s processors may not yet have enough capacity to handle all the nuts. Reports note that more investment and infrastructure are needed. Observers also highlight a contradiction in policy, since President Bola Tinubu has recently promoted free-market reforms. This has raised debate about whether the ban will achieve long-term success.
Comprehension Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What did Nigeria announce in late August?
- What does the government want to export instead of raw shea nuts?
- How is shea butter made?
- What products often use shea butter?
- What do some experts say Nigeria needs to make the ban successful?
Discussion Questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever used lotion, shampoo, or cream with shea butter? If yes, did you like it? If not, what product is popular in your country for skin or hair care?
- Have you ever visited a factory or seen how a product is made? If yes, what did you see? If not, what kind of factory would you like to visit?
- Do you agree that Nigeria should stop selling raw shea nuts and only sell processed shea butter?
- What new jobs could be created if Nigeria makes more shea butter products instead of selling raw nuts?
- How might the ban affect people in other countries who buy shea butter?