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Nigeria is losing about 400,000 hectares of forest every year to unchecked deforestation, a development that charcoal industry stakeholders say threatens both the sector and the country’s environmental commitments.
The National President of the National Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters, and Afforestation of Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Edu, disclosed this at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja on Thursday.
Edu, while addressing participants, said the trend had reached an alarming level and called for urgent enforcement of compliance across the sector.
“We gather not merely to discuss, but to act. The charcoal sector in Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. On one hand, we recognise its economic value as a source of livelihood for millions, and as a significant contributor to trade and investment. On the other hand, we are confronted by increasingly unhealthy practices, reckless exploitation, and lack of compliance to the established guidelines,” he said.
Edu stressed that Nigeria loses about 400,000 hectares of forest every year, largely due to agricultural expansion, unsustainable logging, and other related pressures. He warned that if these destructive practices continue, the country’s afforestation efforts will be undermined and Nigeria’s international reputation put at risk.
“If these unhealthy dealings continue unchecked, our sector will be crippled, afforestation efforts will be undermined, and national and international confidence in Nigeria’s environmental sustainability commitments will be eroded,” he said.
The charcoal industry leader noted that between 1990 and 2020, Nigeria lost more than half of its forest cover, with about 70 to 80 percent of its original reserves already depleted. He identified agricultural expansion, industrial development, urbanisation, and illegal logging as the main drivers of the problem.
Edu further expressed concern that Nigeria’s position in global trade could be weakened by the European Union’s new deforestation regulations. Starting from December 2025, the EU will require that commodities such as soybeans, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, and wood are sourced only from non-deforested lands.
“We cannot ignore the reality. The EU has moved ahead with stricter rules, and if we fail to enforce compliance here, Nigerian products will face rejection abroad. Compliance is not optional; it is the bedrock of legitimacy both locally and internationally,” Edu warned.
On the proposed executive ban on charcoal exports, he disclosed that the Presidency had already intervened and directed the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Environment to review all concerns carefully.
“The Presidency has intervened and directed both the Ministry of Trade and the Ministry of Environment to carefully review all concerns. The clear intention is not to impose a blanket ban but to ensure the sector is better regulated and aligned with national and international standards,” he said.
Edu called for stronger action to curb illegal practices in the industry. He proposed the establishment of a Joint Task Force to enforce compliance and protect legitimate stakeholders. He also criticised foreign dominance in the trade, saying it violates the Federal Executive Council’s directive against foreigners buying produce directly at farm gates.
“This is not the time for lip service. This is the time for decisive action. If we do not enforce compliance today, there will be no sustainable future for our business and no viable charcoal industry for the generations to come,” he added.
Nigeria’s charcoal sector provides employment for thousands of households across the country, but analysts warn that its current path of exploitation could cause long-term damage to the environment, worsen climate change effects, and put the country at risk of losing out on international trade opportunities.
