FG Imposes Nationwide Ban on Export of Wood and Related Products
The Federal Government has announced an immediate ban on the export of wood and related products across Nigeria, revoking all previously issued licences and permits.
The directive was disclosed on Wednesday by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, during the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment held in Katsina State.
According to Lawal, the ban is contained in the “Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025,” and is aimed at curbing illegal logging and deforestation nationwide.
“Nigeria’s forests are vital for environmental sustainability. They provide clean air and water, support livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change,” the minister said, warning that continued exportation of timber undermines these benefits and poses long-term environmental risks.
The executive order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 (16 October 2025), is anchored on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empower the government to protect the environment, wildlife, and forests and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
The policy directs security agencies and relevant ministries to enforce a strict clampdown on illegal logging activities across the country.
Opening the council meeting, Katsina State Deputy Governor Faruk Lawal Jobe highlighted the state’s record of pioneering socio-economic policies and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in tackling environmental challenges nationwide.
“Environmental sustainability is key to national growth and improving the quality of life for our people,” he said. “Our administration has prioritised initiatives to combat desertification and promote afforestation.”
The nationwide ban underscores the government’s determination to protect Nigeria’s diminishing forest cover, address climate change, and ensure sustainable management of natural resources for future generations.
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