Businesses Rally to Drive Nigeria’s Biodiversity Action Plan Implementation ForwardBusinesses have been urged to take deliberate, coordinated action to support Nigeria’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), with stakeholders warning that protecting biodiversity is critical to the country’s long-term economic stability and environmental sustainability.
The call was made at the maiden National Business Advisory Group (BAG) Workshop on Biodiversity held on December 15, 2025, in Lagos.
The workshop was organised by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation in collaboration with Natural Eco Capital, the West Africa Capitals Coalition Hub and Business for Nature, as a follow-up to the recent Abuja launch of the NBSAP.
It focused on setting priorities and operational frameworks to guide private sector participation in biodiversity protection.
Delivering the keynote address, NBSAP Consultant Dr. John Onyekuru stressed that biodiversity is inseparable from human life, noting that culture, technology, food systems and livelihoods all depend on nature.
He cited the Osun Sacred Grove as an example of the deep link between culture and biodiversity, describing conservation as an ethical responsibility and, ultimately, self-preservation.
Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said businesses stand to gain economically and environmentally by aligning their operations with the NBSAP.
He explained that the Business Advisory Group will serve as a platform for dialogue, policy alignment and collaboration among businesses, government and civil society to advance nature-positive development in Nigeria.
Participants, including representatives of Access Bank, 7Up Bottling Company and Dangote Group, engaged in robust discussions and collectively pledged commitment to biodiversity-friendly practices.
A goodwill message from the Federal Ministry of Environment urged sustained effort to ensure the successful implementation of Nigeria’s biodiversity action plan.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh