In a decisive move to protect the nation's environment, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an immediate and comprehensive ban on the export of wood and allied products, including charcoal. This sweeping directive also involves the revocation of all existing export licenses and permits.
Immediate Action to Halt Deforestation
The ban was made public on December 17, 2025, by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal. The announcement came during the 18th National Council on Environment meeting held in Katsina State. Minister Lawal stated that the policy is driven by the urgent need to tackle rampant illegal logging and reverse the alarming rate of deforestation across Nigeria.
"Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability," Lawal emphasized. He highlighted their critical role in providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change effects. The minister warned that the continued export of wood poses a severe threat to these ecological benefits and the long-term health of the environment.
Legal Backing and Enforcement Directives
The policy is not merely an administrative order but carries full legal weight. It is contained in the "Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025", which was officially published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025.
The Executive Order derives its authority from Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These sections empower the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife, and to prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new regime, security agencies and relevant ministries have been directed to commence a nationwide clampdown on all illegal logging activities. This enforcement drive aims to ensure the policy's effectiveness on the ground.
State Collaboration and Broader Environmental Goals
At the council meeting, Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, underscored the importance of collaboration in tackling Nigeria's environmental challenges. He pointed out his state's pioneering role in socio-economic policies and reiterated his administration's commitment to combating desertification and promoting afforestation.
"Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving growth and improving the quality of life of our people," Jobe stated. This sentiment aligns with the Federal Government's position, framing the wood and charcoal export ban as a core part of Nigeria's broader climate action and commitment to preserving natural resources for future generations.
This policy marks a significant shift in Nigeria's environmental protection strategy. By taking this firm stance, the government reinforces its resolve to safeguard the country's shrinking forest cover and rich biodiversity against unsustainable exploitation.
