Vitellaria paradoxa is commonly known as the “shea tree”, which is indigenous to Africa. It is one of the native African food plants found to be very useful in the cosmetic and skin care industries. Shea butter is fat, extracted from the nut of the African shea tree. This study was done to determinethe fatty acid profile, phytochemical and vitamin contents of shea butter in other to elucidate its nutritional and industrial applications, especially owing to its growing use in the food and cosmetic industries across Africa and beyond. The Shea nuts were cracked and fat extracted. Gas Chromatographic method was used in the fatty acid analysis. Phytochemical and Vitamin analyses were carried out using approved, recognized procedures and techniques. The result showed that the African shea butter, has high amount of saturated fatty acids such as Palmitic acid (22.10%), Stearic acid (18.73%),Archidic acid (12.65%) and Heptadecanoic acid (10.15%). It also contains some unsaturated fatty acids such as Oleic acid (7.74%)Arachidonic acid (7.47%) and Linoleic acid (5.49%). The result ofthe phytochemical analysis showed that it contains Phenol (16.15%), Kaempferol (12.89%), Sapogenin (12.73%), Tanin (12.68%) and Oxalate (10.68%) amongst others. It has high amounts of vitamin D (136mg/g) and vitamin K (72mg/g). Other vitamins such as vitamin A and the B-vitamins were found in trace quantities. The shea butter is thus, enriched with various fatty acid components, some of which have, antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. However, its high amount of saturated fatty acid components, make it relatively unsafe for prolonged consumption, especially in unhealthy individuals, because of the implications of saturated fatty acids in human health. Shea butter, can find excellent application as a skin care product, because of its rich antioxidants embedded in the vitamins, phytochemicals and fatty acid contents.