The Forest Products Industry in Nigeria

The forest industry in Nigeria is undergoing a difficult period as a result of a multiplicity of factors. This study evaluates the performance of the industry, and results indicated that capacity utilization in the sawmill subsector was 6,994,660m3, 6,031,922m3, 7067145m3 and 3,800,000m3 respectively in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2010. In the veneer and plywood mills, capacity utilization was 72,240m3, 54,600m3, 14,900m3 and 10,250m3 respectively in 1988, 1992, 1996 and 2010 respectively while particle board production has also been dwindling in recent years. The total particle board produced in 2010 was only 9,736m3 as against an installed capacity of 45,000m3. In the safety matches subsector, capacity utilization increased from 7,500 in 1988 to 16,200m3 in 1992 and 52,980m3 in 1996. Capacity utilization in the subsector was 11,496 in 2002 and 2010 respectively. Wood treatment subsector also witnessed a decrease in capacity utilization from 52,980m3 in 1996 to 11,496m3 in 2002 and 2010 respectively. There is the need to locally promote industrial clusters, cooperatives and private forestry through policy initiatives in this sector.Key words: Capacity utilization, installed capacity, sawmill, plywood, particleboard, safety matche