As the world marks the International Day of Forests, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has raised concern over the continued depletion of Nigeria’s forests and called for urgent, practical solutions to safeguard the country’s most critical natural asset.
This year’s theme, “Forests and Economies,” highlights the vital role forests play not only in environmental sustainability but also in supporting livelihoods, strengthening economic resilience, and driving national development.
Nigeria’s forests are currently in a critical state of decline, with the country recording one of the highest deforestation rates in the world.
An estimated 400,000 hectares of forest are lost annually, largely due to illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanisation.
Over the past three decades, nearly 90 per cent of the country’s forest cover has disappeared, leaving only a small fraction of the original forest landscape intact. Today, less than 10 per cent of Nigeria’s original forest cover remains, underscoring the urgent need for large-scale restoration and sustainable forest management.
A significant proportion of Nigerians depend on fuelwood and charcoal for daily energy needs, placing enormous pressure on the remaining forest reserves. Beyond energy, forests support agriculture, regulate water systems, and provide raw materials and income for millions of people, particularly in rural communities. Yet, despite their economic value, forests remain one of the most undervalued natural assets in Nigeria’s development planning.
Although government and other stakeholders are pushing for stronger conservation measures, major challenges persist. Illegal logging, weak enforcement of environmental laws, increasing demand for land and energy, and limited investment in restoration continue to drive forest loss across the country. Without urgent and coordinated action, the long-term economic and ecological consequences could be severe.
The Director-General of the Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, stressed the importance of protecting forests.
“We all know that forests are vital for life on Earth.
They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, help combat climate change, host most of the planet’s land biodiversity, regulate water cycles, protect soil, and provide essential resources such as timber, food, medicine, and livelihoods for millions.
The question remains: why are we destroying the very systems that sustain us? Isn’t it our duty to protect the lungs of our planet and preserve the natural beauty that has been gifted to us? We would be doing ourselves a great service if we left the forest alone and stopped the criminal and indiscriminate exploitation that is causing irreversible environmental damage.”
The Foundation said it has implemented several interventions aimed at reversing forest loss and promoting sustainable livelihoods. These include the Green Recovery Nigeria Programme — a flagship initiative aimed at restoring Nigeria’s forest cover to 25 per cent by 2047.
In 2025 alone, NCF, with the support of its partners, planted 265,561 trees across various ecosystems.
Other initiatives include community-based forest management programmes, biodiversity conservation projects, forest reserve management, and strategic partnerships with government and the private sector to promote sustainable land-use practices while creating alternative livelihood opportunities that reduce dependence on unsustainable forest exploitation.
The Foundation also called on government at all levels to strengthen forest governance, enforce existing environmental laws, and increase budgetary allocations for forest conservation and restoration.
It urged the private sector to invest in sustainable practices and nature-based solutions, noting that nature supports agriculture, tourism, climate stability, and economic growth.
NCF further encouraged communities and individuals to support tree-planting initiatives, adopt sustainable resource-use practices, and raise awareness about the importance of forest conservation.
The Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to working with all stakeholders to ensure that Nigeria’s forests continue to provide ecological and economic benefits for both present and future generations.
Reporting By Innocent Onoh