The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has described the federal government’s decision to impose an immediate nationwide ban on the export of wood and allied products as a timely and strategic boost for Nigeria’s furniture manufacturing sector.
Chairperson of the Wood & Wood Products/Furniture Sectoral Group of MAN, Mrs. Ngozi Oyewole, welcomed the policy, saying it signals the government’s strong commitment to sustainable industrial growth, local value addition, and environmental protection.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja, Oyewole said the ban would significantly benefit local manufacturers by retaining critical raw materials within the country, thereby improving access to wood for processors and furniture makers while helping to stabilise costs and reduce price volatility driven by export pressure.
She commended the Honourable Minister of Environment, Mallam Balarabe Lawal, and praised the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what she described as a decisive and forward-looking intervention.
According to her, the policy reflects strong political will and a clear understanding of the link between environmental protection, industrial development, and national economic growth.
Oyewole noted that beyond improving raw material availability, the export ban would promote local value addition, support job creation, boost the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and stimulate expansion across the wood and furniture value chain. She added that the policy would enhance the competitiveness of Nigerian-made furniture in the domestic market and strengthen the export potential of finished products.
“Indeed, this is a turning point for the wood and furniture manufacturing sector—leadership that listens, acts, and delivers,” she added.
Mrs. Oyewole is also the Vice Chair of the Governing Council of the Industrial Training Fund (ITF).
