By Naomi Sharang
The National Association of Charcoal Producers, Dealers, Exporters and Afforestation of Nigeria (NACPDEAN) has called for urgent and coordinated engagement following the recent ban on charcoal export.
The newly elected President of the association, Mr Edu Babatunde, made the call in his acceptance speech after the election of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja on Wednesday.
Babatunde, who described his victory as a collective achievement, said it comes with renewed responsibility and a clear call to action.
“Our industry is at a critical turning point. Recent developments, particularly the ban on charcoal export, require urgent and strategic engagement,” he said.
He urged producers, dealers, exporters and other stakeholders to unite and engage government authorities with a common voice.
According to him, the goal is not only to address immediate challenges arising from the ban, but also to establish a sustainable framework that balances economic survival with environmental responsibility.
Babatunde emphasised that a new era of strict compliance was imminent, noting that weak enforcement and unregulated activities would no longer be tolerated.
He said the association would introduce firm monitoring systems, enforce standards and ensure accountability across the industry.
The NACPDEAN president said the measures were necessary to restore credibility in the sector, protect legitimate operators and secure the long-term future of the charcoal business in Nigeria.
While underscoring the importance of enforcement, he stressed that collaboration remained critical.
“Plans are underway to deepen engagement with state governments to ensure inclusive participation and effective regulation,” he said.
He added that the association would promote afforestation initiatives, strengthen regulatory frameworks and create an enabling environment for sustainable charcoal production and export activities.
Babatunde, who was re-elected for a second term, said priority would be given to establishing and activating state chapters in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, Kogi and Bauchi states.
He also pledged to enforce compliance with the 2022 Federal Executive Council (FEC) resolution prohibiting foreign operators from purchasing charcoal directly at the farm gate.
“This policy is designed to protect local businesses, and we will ensure full compliance,” he said.
On deforestation, Babatunde said the association would prioritise sustainability through structured initiatives.
“All stakeholders; producers, dealers and exporters must embrace tree planting as a core responsibility. Afforestation will remain central to our strategy,” he said.
He added that the association was introducing structured economic forestry programmes across regions to ensure tree planting was both sustainable and economically beneficial to communities, states and the Federal Government.
Also speaking, Mr Basiru Lukman, Schedule Officer in charge of the Charcoal Value Chain at the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, said the ban was necessitated by the country’s growing forest deficit.
He said the measure was aimed at protecting natural resources and promoting sustainability.
Lukman urged stakeholders to take deliberate steps toward aggressive afforestation, stressing that sustainable production must remain a collective priority.
He also called for self-regulation within the subsector to ensure compliance with environmental standards and responsible business practices.
In his remarks, Dr Bello Dogondaji, General Secretary of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Association of Nigeria (FACAN), described the election as free, fair and credible.
He said the process reflected inclusiveness, with representation from all six geopolitical zones.
Dogondaji advised the new executives to uphold unity, integrity and continuity in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the newly elected NEC includes Mr Abdulsalami Rijana as National Deputy President, Mr Kayode Animashaun as National Zonal Vice President (South-West), and Mr Ojei Uche as National Secretary-General.
(NAN) www.nannews.ng
NNL/TAK
Edited by Tosin Kolade
