As the world marked International Day of Forests, Wild Africa has called on the Nigerian government, private sector, and conservation organizations to intensify efforts in protecting the nation’s forests, which serve as a refuge for its most iconic wildlife species.
Nigeria has experienced a 12 percent decrease in tree cover in the last two decades, equivalent to 1.25 million hectares.
In addition, approximately 60 percent of the forest loss is due to logging, agricultural expansion, mainly through slash-and-burn farming practices and commercial plantation developments.
With this year’s theme, “Forests and Foods,” the pivotal roles that forests play in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods is evident.
Forests sustain life by providing food, fuel, medicinal ingredients, income, and employment, especially to host communities closer to forests. They also protect our water resources, sequesters carbon emissions from the atmosphere, supports soil fertility and facilitates crop pollination.
Forests are fast disappearing across the continent, with deforestation occurring at more than 4 million hectares per year, twice the world’s average. The rapid loss of Africa’s forests threatens biodiversity, people’s livelihoods, food security, and climate stability.
Globally, forests and trees are a rich source of nuts, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, leaves, mushrooms, honey, cacao pods, meat, and insects, providing essential nutrients to people’s diets. Approximately 1.6 billion people, or 25 percent of the global population, rely on forests for their subsistence needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.
Nigeria is endowed with some of the continent’s most biodiverse rainforests. The Cross River National Park, spanning 4,000 square kilometers in southern Nigeria, is home to the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, drill monkeys, forest elephants, and the critically endangered Cross River gorilla. However, rampant illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and urban development threaten these critical habitats. As forests disappear, biodiversity dwindles, and the livelihoods of those dependent on forest resources are increasingly jeopardized.
Despite these challenges, there is hope. Through innovation and collaboration, a sustainable future where forests thrive is possible. Combating deforestation in Africa requires a multifaceted approach, including sustainable land management, stronger law enforcement, renewable energy alternatives, and community involvement.
The public can also help protect forests by avoiding activities that contribute to habitat destruction and supporting conservation initiatives.
Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson, Dr. Mark Ofua, said: “The forest is more than trees—it is life, shelter, and the heartbeat of our planet. When we protect it, we protect our future. But sadly, Nigeria’s forests are disappearing at an alarming rate, taking with them critical biodiversity, essential ecosystem services, and the livelihoods of millions. If deforestation continues unchecked, we risk crossing an irreversible threshold that will devastate both people and nature.”
Wild Africa continues to advocate for stronger conservation policies and initiatives that safeguard Nigeria’s forests using a combination of radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service announcements (PSAs) featuring influential Nigerian ambassadors such as 2Baba, Nela Duke Ekpenyong, and other influential Nigerians to highlight Nigeria’s forests, its potential and the need to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces for future generations.
Heritage Times HT is a strong advocate for the preservation of wildlife and forests.
