The President of the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants (also known as Charcoal Legality), Omolola Johnson, has warned that Nigeria could face a ban on its wood and charcoal exports to European countries if it fails to comply with the European Union’s (EU) Trade Act deadline for non-deforestation-related products by December 2025.
Johnson made this statement on Saturday during a training program on the European Union Deforestation Regulation, which took place at the University of Ibadan Hotel Mini Hall in Ibadan, Oyo State. She highlighted the urgent need for a shift in the narrative around wood and charcoal processing, which is often incorrectly associated with deforestation, a key concern for the EU.
She clarified, “Wood is not the primary driver of deforestation; it’s agriculture, housing, and population growth. Over the years, we have made progress in understanding the EU’s expectations in terms of legality, standards, and certification for charcoal and wood exports.”
Johnson emphasized that the purpose of the training was to educate Nigerians on these regulations and encourage collaboration among the government, stakeholders, and grassroots communities to ensure compliance.
“The key takeaway is that it will no longer be business as usual. Failure to comply will have significant consequences. The EU has granted an extension, originally set to begin on January 1, 2025, but now extended to December 3, 2025. By January 1, 2026, the regulation will be fully enforced. We must act quickly; otherwise, we will be unable to export to the EU,” she warned.
The president further explained that customs officials and importers will not be able to clear Nigerian goods unless they are proven not to contribute to deforestation.
Felicia Udeh, Assistant Director at the Federal Ministry of Trade and Industry, also underscored the importance of understanding deforestation. She noted that the training was timely, especially for farmers, as it would equip them with the necessary knowledge to align with EU regulations.
“The EU’s regulation is important, but the sensitization process is key. Understanding why deforestation must be prevented is critical to compliance,” Udeh stated.
This training aims to inform and prepare stakeholders to meet the EU’s regulatory requirements and avoid trade disruptions.
