The Kano State Government has imposed a statewide ban on the unlicensed use of chainsaws for tree cutting, felling, and trimming in a renewed effort to combat deforestation and safeguard the environment.
The Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Dahiru Muhammad-Hashim, announced the measure on Tuesday at a press conference in Kano.
He said the initiative was backed by section 20 of the 1999 Constitution, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) Act 2007, and the National Environmental Regulations 2014 on tree cutting.
“This decision aligns with Nigeria’s NDC 3.0 strategy to reduce deforestation by 60 per cent and restore degraded forests through sustainable management,” Muhammad-Hashim stated.
“To regulate chainsaw operations, the ministry has introduced the Chainsaw Usage Permit Framework (CUPF).
“The framework has two categories: the Chainsaw Operator License (CUPF-A), which requires that all commercial operators and logging businesses must register annually with the ministry and the Tree Felling/Trimming Permit (CUPF-B), which is mandatory for all tree removal or trimming in both public and private spaces,” he said.
The commissioner said each felled tree must be replaced with at least two to three saplings, with collected fees funding replanting and climate resilience programmes.
A digital permit registry with QR code verification has been created to enhance monitoring and enforcement, which will be carried out with support from security agencies, local governments, traditional institutions, and community forest monitors.
Violators will face strict penalties: a fine of ₦500,000, confiscation of equipment, and possible imprisonment for using chainsaws without a license. Those who fell trees without a permit will pay ₦250,000 per tree and be required to replant.
“We call on local government chairmen, schools, mosques, religious leaders, and traditional institutions to help sensitise communities on the dangers of illegal tree felling,” he added.
The commissioner urged all chainsaw operators, businesses, and individuals to comply fully with the regulation, reiterating the government’s commitment to protecting Kano’s forests and strengthening climate resilience.
