Nigeria’s Federal Government has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, revoking all previously issued licences and permits.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas-Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment held in Katsina State.
According to the minister, the directive is anchored in the Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, which takes effect immediately.
Lawal explained that the policy was necessary to tackle illegal logging and the rapid depletion of Nigeria’s forest cover, a trend driven over recent decades by commercial logging, agricultural expansion, and the extensive use of fuelwood.
“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change,” Lawal stated.
He added that the continued export of wood undermines these ecological benefits and threatens the long-term health of the country’s environment.
The executive order was published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 on 16 October 2025. It draws authority from Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which charge the state with protecting natural resources, forests, and wildlife, and preventing their exploitation for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant government ministries have been directed to enforce the ban rigorously and take decisive action against illegal logging nationwide. Enforcement measures, penalties for violations, and possible exemptions for processed wood products have not yet been fully detailed by the government.
During the council meeting, Katsina State Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe emphasised the need for coordinated action between federal and state governments to address environmental challenges.
He highlighted Katsina State’s initiatives to combat desertification and land degradation as examples of efforts to safeguard natural resources.
“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” Jobe said.
The ban is expected to have significant implications for exporters, timber traders, and businesses operating in forest-producing states. Stakeholders in the timber sector may face operational disruptions as the government enforces the clampdown on illegal logging and halts wood exports entirely.
This policy move is part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to combat deforestation, protect biodiversity, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
While the immediate focus is on preventing illegal wood exports, the policy also signals Nigeria’s commitment to environmental stewardship and climate action.
The Ministry of Environment has urged all stakeholders to comply with the new directive.
“Protecting our forests is not only an environmental responsibility but also a moral duty to future generations,” Jobe said.
As the policy takes effect immediately, the government is expected to release further guidelines on enforcement procedures, penalties for violations, and potential exemptions in the coming weeks.
