By Abbas Nazil
The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a nationwide ban on the exportation of wood and allied products in a major effort to tackle illegal logging, halt deforestation, and strengthen the country’s response to climate change.
The policy directive was formalized through a Presidential Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu and published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 on 16 October 2025.
The order, titled ‘Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025,’ was officially launched by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment held in Katsina State.
Lawal noted that Nigeria’s forests are crucial for environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating the effects of climate change.
He warned that the continued exportation of wood and related products undermines these environmental benefits and threatens the long-term health of the nation’s ecosystems.
The ban, according to him, is anchored in Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which obligate the state to prevent the exploitation of natural resources for purposes other than the common good and to protect land, forests, and wildlife.
The Executive Order noted that unchecked logging and the exportation of wood products violate these constitutional responsibilities and contribute to environmental degradation.
Under the new policy, all forms of illegal logging and indiscriminate deforestation are prohibited nationwide, while all licences and permits previously issued by any ministry, department, or agency for the extraction and export of wood have been suspended and declared invalid.
The government’s directive is aimed at curbing environmental destruction, preserving critical forest resources, and ensuring sustainable management of Nigeria’s natural wealth.
This intervention underscores the administration’s commitment to enforcing environmental protection laws and addressing climate change impacts while promoting the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources.
Officials stressed that strict enforcement and monitoring mechanisms will be put in place to ensure compliance with the ban, signaling a decisive step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s forests for future generations.
The move is expected to strengthen national efforts against illegal timber trade, promote sustainable forest management, and contribute to global climate action objectives.
