The Federal Government has announced an immediate ban on the export of timber and other wood products, as part of efforts to curb deforestation and illegal logging activities in Nigeria. The government also revealed the revocation of all existing wood export licences to enforce compliance with the new directive.
Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made the announcement during a stakeholders’ consultative meeting in Abuja. He expressed concern over the alarming rate of forest depletion across the country, which he said was threatening environmental sustainability, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities.
Lawal noted that uncontrolled logging and timber export have contributed to increased carbon emissions, soil erosion, and the destruction of natural habitats. He stressed that the government was committed to reversing the trend by introducing stricter regulations and promoting afforestation.
“All licences previously issued for wood export stand revoked. No one is allowed to export wood products henceforth,” the minister said, urging collaboration among security agencies, port authorities, and environmental bodies to enforce the ban.
He also called on state governments to support the initiative by strengthening forest protection laws and encouraging tree-planting campaigns.
Stakeholders present at the meeting, including representatives from the forestry sector, civil society groups, and exporters, were urged to align with the government’s renewed focus on sustainable forest management.
The move is part of broader national efforts to tackle climate change, restore forest cover, and meet Nigeria’s environmental obligations under international agreements like the Paris Accord.
