Abuja: Mrs Ngozi Oyewole, Chairperson of the Wood and Wood Products/Furniture Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has commended the Federal Government’s decision to implement a nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products. She described the ban as ‘excellent and timely news for Nigeria’s furniture manufacturing sector,’ indicating significant benefits for local producers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oyewole emphasized that the policy represents a major boost for local manufacturers and signals the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth, value addition, and environmental protection. Serving also as Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), she expressed her satisfaction with the Executive Order and its potential positive impact on the sector.
Oyewole specifically praised the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, and highlighted President Bola Tinubu’s leadership for the decisive intervention in industrial and environmental policy. She stated that the policy reflects strong political will and an understanding of the link between environmental protection, industrial value addition, and national economic development.
She further explained that the export ban would keep wood resources within the country, improving access to raw materials for local processors, stabilizing costs, and reducing price volatility driven by export pressures. The decision promotes local value addition, supports job creation, boosts SME growth, and drives industrial expansion across the wood and furniture value chain.
Oyewole also stressed that the policy would enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian-made furniture domestically and strengthen the position of finished products in export markets abroad. Beyond industrial benefits, she noted that the ban would promote sustainable forestry practices by curbing illegal logging and deforestation, aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability objectives.
The Executive Order, she said, is a strong statement that Nigeria is serious about industrialization, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic resilience. She reaffirmed the readiness of manufacturers to collaborate with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to ensure effective implementation, full compliance, and responsible use of the nation’s forest resources.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Minister of Environment announced the ban, issued by President Tinubu, at the 18th Meeting of the National Council on Environment in Katsina State on Dec. 17.