Federal Government’s Wood Export Ban: A Timely Boost for Nigeria’s Furniture Manufacturing Sector — MAN

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Chairperson of the Wood & Wood Products/Furniture Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, has welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to impose an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products, describing it as excellent and timely news for Nigeria’s furniture manufacturing sector.

Mrs. Oyewole said the bold policy move represents a major boost for local manufacturers and a clear signal of the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable industrial growth, value addition, and environmental protection.

She commended the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, and applauded the Federal Government under the visionary leadership of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for what she described as a decisive and forward-looking intervention.

“This policy reflects strong political will and a deep understanding of the critical link between environmental protection, industrial value addition, and national economic development,” she stated.

According to her, the export ban will deliver significant benefits to furniture manufacturers and MAN members by retaining wood resources within the country, thereby improving access to raw materials for local processors and furniture makers. She noted that the policy is also expected to help stabilise costs and reduce price volatility driven by export pressure.

Mrs. Oyewole added that the decision would promote local value addition rather than the export of raw materials, support job creation, boost SME growth, and drive industrial expansion across the wood and furniture value chain. She further stressed that the policy would enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian-made furniture in the domestic market and position finished products more strongly for export.

Beyond industrial benefits, she observed that the ban would strengthen sustainable forestry practices by curbing illegal logging and deforestation, thereby aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability.

“This Executive Order is a strong statement that Nigeria is serious about industrialisation, environmental sustainability, and long-term economic resilience,” she said.

She reaffirmed the readiness of manufacturers to partner with the Federal Government and relevant agencies to ensure effective implementation, full compliance, and the responsible use of the nation’s forest resources.

“Indeed, this is a turning point for the wood and furniture manufacturing sector—leadership that listens, acts, and delivers,” Mrs. Oyewole concluded.