Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
In a sweeping environmental policy move, the Federal Government of Nigeria has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all existing licences and permits previously granted for the extraction and international shipment of timber, charcoal and related forest commodities. The directive, contained in a Presidential Executive Order signed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aims to confront escalating illegal logging, rampant deforestation and the accelerating degradation of the nation’s forests — critical ecosystems that provide clean air, water, biodiversity and climate resilience.
Announced on Wednesday at the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment (NCE) in Katsina State by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, the ban underscores the government’s intent to prioritise sustainable environmental stewardship and safeguard forest resources for future generations. The order, titled the “Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025,” was formally published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025 and takes effect immediately.
Under the new policy, all licences and permits previously issued by any ministry, department or government agency for the extraction and export of wood products have been suspended and declared invalid. The prohibition also applies to charcoal and other related products that have historically been traded within Nigeria’s external markets. Authorities have emphasised that the ban encompasses all forms of export activity, signaling a comprehensive reset of the regulatory framework governing timber trade.
Officials say the policy responds to longstanding concerns about uncontrolled logging and the loss of forest cover, which have contributed to soil erosion, reduced agricultural productivity and heightened vulnerability to climate change impacts. Nigeria has experienced significant deforestation over several decades due to unregulated logging, agricultural expansion, fuelwood extraction and weak enforcement of forestry laws. Experts warn that without decisive intervention, the continued depletion of forest resources could undermine environmental sustainability and the livelihoods of rural communities that depend on forest ecosystems.
Minister Lawal explained that the decision to ban exports reflects constitutional obligations placed on the state to protect and conserve the environment under Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These provisions obligate the government to safeguard natural resources for the collective good of the community and to prevent exploitation that harms land, forests and wildlife.
“The continued export of wood and allied products undermines the benefits that forests provide to our people and threatens the long‑term health of our environment,” Lawal said. He also linked the ban to Nigeria’s broader commitments to addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development.
The government has directed security agencies and relevant ministries to enforce the ban and take robust action against illegal logging operations across the federation. Officials at the meeting highlighted that enforcement will require coordinated efforts with state governments, communities and law enforcement to curb illicit forest exploitation and strengthen compliance mechanisms.
The ban is expected to have significant implications for exporters, timber traders and forest‑based industries, particularly in states that produce large volumes of timber and wood products. Market stakeholders are likely to face disruptions as operations adjust to the new regulatory landscape. While authorities have yet to unveil detailed enforcement protocols or penalties for violations, analysts believe that successful implementation will hinge on clear guidelines, active monitoring and effective collaboration between federal and state actors.
Environmental advocates have generally welcomed the measure as a bold step toward forest conservation, but some industry players caution that the ban could have economic repercussions if not paired with strong support mechanisms for local communities and businesses that rely on forestry value chains. They argue that sustainable forest management requires not only prohibitions on unsustainable practices but also investments in alternative livelihoods, afforestation programmes and regulatory reforms that enable responsible use of forest resources.
The executive order also comes amid heightened global attention on deforestation and climate change. Nations worldwide face growing pressure to protect forest ecosystems, which are integral to carbon sequestration and biodiversity preservation. Nigeria’s move aligns with international trends toward reinforcing forest governance and combating the drivers of environmental degradation.
At the NCE meeting, participants underscored the need for multilevel cooperation in achieving environmental sustainability goals. The Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, highlighted his state’s efforts in combating desertification and land degradation, noting that similar collaborative strategies will be essential in realising the objectives of the wood export ban.
Observers say this policy shift marks one of the most far‑reaching interventions in Nigeria’s forest management history and could redefine the country’s approach to natural resource governance. The ban also raises broader questions about balancing economic development with ecological protection — a challenge confronting many resource‑rich yet environmentally vulnerable nations.
As the ban takes effect, enforcement agencies and stakeholders now face the critical task of translating the presidential order into concrete action that protects Nigeria’s forests, supports sustainable livelihoods, and positions the country on a path toward ecological resilience and climate impact mitigation.
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