FOREST LAWS
Act · Environment
An Act governs the creation, management, and protection of forest reserves in Nigeria through legislation on timber extraction and biodiversity conservation. It targets forestry commissions, timber merchants, local communities, and land-use agencies. This ensures sustainable forest use and prevents encroachment on reserves.
What Is This Policy?
A body of legislation governing the creation, management, protection, and sustainable use of forest reserves across Nigeria, including timber extraction, fuelwood harvesting, and the conservation of forest biodiversity.
Who Does It Target?
Forestry commissions and state forest departments Licensed timber merchants and sawmill operators Local communities residing in or around forest reserves Agricultural and land-use planning agencies
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
To conserve Nigeria's forest estate, regulate commercial exploitation of timber and forest produce, prevent encroachment on gazetted reserves, and promote sustainable forest management.
Key Features
Forest Reserve Gazettement: Provides legal basis for declaring and protecting areas as government forest reserves. Licensing Regime: Requires licences for timber felling, charcoal production, and collection of forest produce. Anti-Encroachment Provisions: Prohibits unlawful farming, grazing, or settlement within demarcated reserves. Community Forestry: Allows for collaborative management agreements with host communities. Penalties: Prescribes fines and imprisonment for illegal logging, burning, or destruction of forest resources.
Current Status
In force. Forestry laws are enforced at both federal and state levels, with state forestry commissions managing gazetted forest reserves and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria supporting conservation and sustainable timber management.
Apply to the relevant State Forestry Department for a felling or harvesting licence Submit a management plan where required Pay prescribed fees and bonds Application method: State Forestry Departments and the Federal Department of Forestry
Important Terms
Licences are non-transferable Operators must replant or rehabilitate harvested areas as directed Failure to comply results in licence revocation and prosecution
Official Resources
Website: Federal Ministry of Environment / State Forestry Departments Policy Summary Document | Federal Republic of Nigeria
Legal Framework
Governed by the Forestry Act (Cap F31 LFN 2004) and state forestry laws operating under the concurrent legislative list in the 1999 Constitution. Operates alongside the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Paris Agreement on Climate Change (forest carbon sinks), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change REDD+ mechanism. Aligns with FAO State of the World's Forests guidelines.