Deforestation: Federal Government Bans Export Of Wood, Allied Products

The federal government has announced a nationwide ban on the exportation of wood and allied products.

The major environmental policy intervention aimed at tackling illegal logging, halting deforestation and strengthening Nigeria’s response to climate change.

The directive is contained in a Presidential Executive Order signed by President Bola Tinubu and published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of 16 October 2025.

The order, titled ‘Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025,’ was launched by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, at the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State.

Lawal explained that Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability, providing clean air and water, supporting livelihoods, conserving biodiversity and playing a critical role in reducing the impact of climate change.

The minister also warned that the continued export of wood and allied products undermines these benefits and threatens the long-term health of the environment.

According to the government, the ban is based on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which mandate the prevention of the exploitation of natural resources for purposes other than the good of the community and require the state to protect land, forests, and wildlife.

The Executive Order noted that unchecked logging and exportation of wood products are inconsistent with these constitutional responsibilities.

With the new policy, illegal logging and wanton deforestation are also 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.