NATIONAL FOREST POLICY

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 programmes 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

Rollout Stage: Active; the 2006 policy is due for a 2025 revision to align with the Climate Change Act 2021 and updated NDCs Implementing Body: Federal Ministry of Environment; State Forestry Departments; Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) Enforcement Challenge: Illegal logging, forest encroachment, and charcoal production remain significant problems, particularly in forest-edge communities Funding: State forestry revenues from timber licences, federal allocations, and international donor grants

How to Access

Timber Operators: Apply for forest harvesting licences at the State Forestry Department; submit to an annual audit of harvesting volumes Communities: Contact State Forestry Department to establish community forest management agreements or non-timber forest product harvesting permits Contact: Federal Ministry of Environment: environment.gov.ng | FRIN: frin.gov.ng | Nearest State Forestry Department

Official Resources

Website: environment.gov.ng | frin.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Environment, No. 3 Abidjan Street, Zone 3, Wuse, Abuja Policy Summary | Source: FME, FAO Nigeria, FRIN, Forestry Act, NCF, UN-REDD Nigeria | February 2026

Legal Framework

The National Forest Policy operates under the Forestry Act, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Act 1992. It aligns with the Climate Change Act 2021, Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests 2017–2030. The Land Use Act 1978 provides the land tenure framework for forest management areas.