The Federal Government has announced a nationwide ban on the export of wood and related products, with all existing licences and permits revoked.
The decision was disclosed on Wednesday, December 17, by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, at the 18th meeting of the National Council on Environment held in Katsina State.
According to Lawal, the directive is contained in a Presidential Executive Order titled *“Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025.”* He explained that the move was aimed at tackling illegal logging and widespread deforestation across Nigeria.
“Nigeria’s forests are vital to environmental sustainability, as they provide clean air and water, support livelihoods, conserve biodiversity, and help mitigate climate change,” the minister stated.
He cautioned that continued wood exportation poses a serious threat to these benefits and undermines the long-term health of the environment.
The executive order, published in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette No. 180, Vol. 112 of October 16, 2025, is anchored on Sections 17(2) and 20 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandate the government to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife and prevent the exploitation of natural resources for private gain.
Under the new policy, security agencies and relevant ministries have been directed to enforce a nationwide crackdown on illegal logging activities.
