The Federal Government has ordered an immediate halt to the export of wood and wood-related products, withdrawing all existing licences and permits under a new presidential executive order.
The directive was announced 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 order takes effect immediately and applies nationwide.
The executive order, titled Presidential Executive Order on the Prohibition of Exportation of Wood and Allied Products, 2025, places a complete restriction on the export of timber and related materials as part of broader efforts to protect Nigeria’s rapidly depleting forest resources.
Lawal said the decision reflects growing concern over environmental degradation linked to unchecked logging activities and the continued loss of forest cover across the country.
Nigeria has faced sustained pressure on its forest reserves due to commercial timber extraction, agricultural expansion, and reliance on fuelwood.
The order has been formally gazetted in the Extraordinary Federal Republic of Nigeria Official Gazette and is grounded in constitutional provisions that assign environmental protection and natural resource conservation responsibilities to the state.
Under the directive, security agencies and relevant ministries have been instructed to enforce the ban and take decisive action against illegal logging and unauthorised export activities.
The government has also signalled tighter coordination between federal and state authorities to ensure compliance.
While the ban is expected to have immediate implications for timber exporters and traders, particularly in forest-producing states, the government has yet to outline specific enforcement penalties or clarify whether exemptions will apply to processed or semi-finished wood products.
The policy move underscores the Federal Government’s increasing use of executive instruments to address environmental and resource management challenges, as authorities seek to balance economic activity with long-term sustainability goals.