Call to Action: Stopping Deforestation for Nigeria’s Economic Future
Ondo State Governor, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has joined forces with forest management experts in urging all stakeholders to take immediate action against deforestation. This call came during the 9th Forests and Forest Products Society Biennial Conference, held at Elizade University in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State. The event, themed “Healthy and Resilient Forests for a Buoyant Nigerian Economy,” highlighted the urgent need for collective efforts to preserve the nation’s forests.
Aiyedatiwa emphasized the critical role of forests in the state’s economy and pledged his administration’s commitment to combating deforestation. His remarks were delivered through the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Chief Segun Odusanya, who underscored the importance of the conference for Ondo State. The state is currently working to restore its degraded forests, which have been impacted by various human activities.
The governor also mentioned the European Union’s deforestation-free programme as a significant influence on the state’s approach. He assured that Ondo State would make every effort to comply with EU regulations, highlighting the need for strict adherence to environmental standards.
Digital Management and Policy Reforms
Professor Timo Tokola, a specialist in Forest Information Systems from the University of Eastern Finland, addressed the conference virtually. He called for a shift from traditional extraction methods to sustainable forest management. According to Tokola, this transition requires continuous inventory, digital transparency, and active leadership from the private sector under clear regulatory frameworks.
Tokola outlined the diverse economic roles of Nigeria’s forests, including the provision of medicinal plants, timber, construction materials, furniture, paper, bush meat, and fiber. He also pointed out the ecosystem services that forests provide, such as water regulation and climate stability.
However, he identified several challenges hindering effective forest management. These include severe forest loss due to agriculture, urbanization, illegal logging, fuelwood use, outdated management plans, lax enforcement, infrastructure gaps, and weak mill technology.
Collaborative Efforts and Institutional Partnerships
Prof. Adenike Oladiji, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Akure, echoed the importance of forests in human life. She highlighted their role in beautifying the environment and supporting the survival of past generations who relied heavily on them for their needs.
Oladiji stressed the need for increased collaboration among institutions to advance the Nigerian forest sector. She emphasized that such partnerships could lead to more effective strategies for forest conservation and sustainable use.
Forests as Vital Ecosystems
In his welcome address, Prof. Shadrack Akindele, President of the Forests and Forest Products Society, described forests as much more than clusters of trees. He referred to them as the lungs of the planet, guardians of biodiversity, and anchors of rural economies. Akindele, who is also the Vice-Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, noted that healthy forest ecosystems contribute to water regulation, soil fertility, climate stability, and cultural identity.
He acknowledged the immense pressure that Nigeria’s forests face, including deforestation, illegal logging, wildfires, and land-use conflicts. Despite these challenges, Akindele expressed optimism about the opportunities they present. He mentioned potential areas for innovation, reforestation, green entrepreneurship, and redefining national development trajectories.
Current Data and Government Initiatives
According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, forests currently cover approximately 23% of Nigeria’s land area. However, this figure reflects a steady decline over the years. Between 2000 and 2024, Nigeria lost roughly 1.3 million hectares of tree cover, as reported by Global Forest Watch.
Deforestation in Nigeria is largely driven by illegal logging, farming, urbanization, and fuelwood use. The Federal Government, through initiatives like the AIM4Forests project supported by the FAO, is working to improve forest monitoring and promote sustainable management practices.
Ondo State, one of Nigeria’s major forest belts, has experienced extensive degradation. This has prompted renewed efforts to enforce conservation laws and align with international deforestation-free standards.