The Federal Government has announced an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, 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 the minister, the ban is contained in a Presidential Executive Order titled “Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025” and was introduced to curb illegal logging, deforestation, and environmental degradation across the country.
“Nigeria’s forests are central to environmental sustainability. They provide clean air and water, support livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and help mitigate the effects of climate change,” Lawal said.
He warned that the continued exportation of wood products poses a serious threat to the country’s forest resources and long-term environmental health.
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The executive order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of October 16, 2025, derives its legal authority from Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). These provisions mandate the state to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife, and to prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant government ministries have been directed to enforce a total clampdown on illegal logging activities nationwide.
Earlier, while declaring the council meeting open, Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruk Lawal Jobe, highlighted the state’s role in pioneering socio-economic initiatives that have shaped national policies. He stressed the need for intergovernmental collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.
“Environmental sustainability is critical to achieving economic growth and improving the quality of life of our people,” Jobe said, adding that the Katsina State Government has prioritised efforts to combat desertification and promote afforestation.
The ban underscores the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to protecting Nigeria’s shrinking forest cover, addressing climate change, and ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources for future generations.
