According to a recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria exported energy goods valued at N65.85 billion in the first quarter of 2025. The majority of these exports, worth N65.65 billion, were sent to other African countries, with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) nations accounting for over 74% of the amount. The energy goods, which include fuel woods, charcoal, and coniferous wood, are increasingly in demand due to scarcity or high cost of alternative energy sources in neighboring countries.
The report reveals that Benin Republic was the top destination for Nigeria’s wood energy exports, receiving N29.83 billion worth of products, followed by Togo with N19.32 billion. Asian and European countries also imported energy wood products from Nigeria, with total exports reaching four continents. In contrast, Nigeria imported only N45.77 million worth of energy wood products during the same period.
The surge in energy wood exports has raised concerns about deforestation and environmental degradation in Nigeria. The report notes that the domestic use of charcoal and firewood is also increasing, driven by rising cooking gas prices and unreliable electricity supply. Stakeholders have warned that the growing trade in biomass energy could have long-term environmental costs if sustainable forestry practices and a national policy on wood energy are not implemented.
Experts have called for solutions to preserve nature and reduce deforestation, including subsidizing gas and kerosene to make them more affordable and promoting cleaner energy sources. A climatologist, Nurudden Bello, has advocated for the promotion of fuel-efficient cooking stoves, especially among women in rural and urban areas, to curb environmental degradation.
The report also highlights the broader context of Nigeria’s trade data, with petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals remaining the top export commodity to African and ECOWAS nations, valued at over N1.48 trillion. The country’s strategic position and abundant natural resources give it a competitive edge in the biomass export market, but the growing trade could have severe environmental consequences if not managed sustainably. The world is facing a biodiversity crisis, with around one million species threatened with extinction, and Nigeria’s actions could contribute to or mitigate this crisis.