1. Abel. O. Olorunnisola IUFRO Division 5 Conference 5.04.08 Sawing, Milling & Machining DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN, NIGERIA

2. Abel O. OLORUNNISOLA A Characterization of the Small -Scale Sawmilling Industry in Nigeria Wood Products Engineering Unit Department of Agricultural & Environmental Engineering, University of Ibadan

3. Abstract sawmilling is one of the oldest wood processing industries in Nigeria this paper traces the history and reviews current practices in the industry

4. Introduction over 90% of Nigerian sawmills are small-sized there is dearth of information on current structure of, and practices in these mills

5. Methodology historical/desk survey review of available literature on historical antecedents, ownership pattern, sawing facilities/practices, residue management

6. Results Historical Development 1 st pit-sawing station established in 1782 first “modern” sawmill established in 1909

7. Numerical Growth in the Sawmilling Establishments in Nigeria: 1939-1999 YearNo. of Sawmills 193916 194921 195935 196980 19791,000 19891,500 19991,700

8. Sawmilling Facilities mobile horizontal bandmills commonly installed

9. Log Supply to the Mills over 70% of log volume handled by the small-scale sawmills come from private log contractors

10. Log transportation to the mills ParameterWaterRoad Vehicle employed boatstimber lorries Average cargo size360 Kg5,000 Kg Average length/girth of logs transported 3.7 m/0.45m3.7 m/0.60m Average distance typically traversed with logs 50-120 km10-80 km Average log carriage cost/m3/Km (US$0.03)(US$0.06)

11. Lumber Production production capacity:5- 8m 3 / 8-hour shift capacity utilization < 50% lumber recovery efficiency:40 -60% annual rate of return:15.2% - 44.3%

12. Employment Structure > 70% of the workforce are manual labourers apprenticeship is the predominant form of pre-employment training

13. Residue Management sawdust used for land filling and as fuel bark, slabs, mis-manufactured lumber pieces and off-cuts, either burnt or sold off

14. Conclusions small-scale sawmilling is still largely practiced as a craft in Nigeria key challenges for the industry include personnel training and re-training and up-grading of production facilities and methods are

15. Thank you for your attention