National Forest Policy (NFP 2006)

What Is This Policy?

The National Forest Policy (NFP) governs the management, development, and conservation of Nigeria's forest estate, covering over 1,000 gazetted forest reserves and millions of hectares of unclassified woodland. It provides the rules for timber exploitation, forest reserve management, and the responsibilities of federal, state, and local authorities in maintaining forest resources.

Who Does It Target?

State forestry departments managing all gazetted forest reserves across Nigeria's 36 states Commercial timber operators, loggers, sawmill owners, and wood products exporters Rural communities, especially in Southern Nigeria, that rely on forests for food, fuel, and income Government agencies with infrastructure, agriculture, or urban development activities that affect forest land

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Maintain a productive, well-managed forest estate that provides timber, biodiversity, watershed protection, and carbon storage services Establish sustainable yield systems for timber so that harvesting does not exceed forest regeneration rates Expand forest cover through plantation establishment, reforestation, and community tree planting programme Protect biodiversity hotspots and critical habitats within forest reserves from encroachment and illegal logging

Key Features

Forest Reserve Classification: Nigeria's forests are classified into strict nature reserves, production forests, and protection forests, each with distinct management rules Sustainable Yield Management: Timber exploitation must follow approved management plans; annual allowable cuts set per reserve to prevent depletion Plantation Programme: Government and private sector plantation development targets aimed at supplementing natural forest production and reducing pressure on reserves Reforestation Obligations: Operators who clear forest areas for timber, agriculture, or infrastructure must replant at a 1:3 ratio or pay into a reforestation fund State Forestry Department Mandate: State Forestry Departments are the primary implementing authorities, with powers to issue licences, conduct patrols, and prosecute illegal loggers International Obligations: Policy links to Nigeria's CBD obligations, CITES listing of protected timber species, and Ramsar wetland forest commitments

Current Status

The National Forest Policy (NFP 2006) is in force, as it is presented as the governing framework for forest management and conservation in Nigeria.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 20 on environmental protection); Land Use Act 1978; Forestry Laws of each state; National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act; Convention on Biological Diversity