As the world marks the International Day of Forests, Wild Africa has called for urgent action to protect Nigeria’s forests.
This is contained in a statement signed by Mr. Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Nigeria’s Representative, on Friday, March 21, 2025, in Lagos.
Iyorah urged the Nigerian government, private sector, and conservation organisations to intensify efforts in protecting the nation’s forests, which, he said, served as a refuge for its most iconic wildlife species.
He stressed that Nigeria has experienced a 12 per cent decrease in tree cover in the last two decades, equivalent to 1.25 million hectares.
He added that approximately 60 per cent of the forest loss was due to logging, agricultural expansion, mainly through slash-and-burn farming practices and commercial plantation developments.
He noted that the 2025 theme: “Forests and Foods,” celebrated forests’ pivotal roles in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.
“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.
“Across the continent, forests are disappearing, with deforestation occurring at more than four million hectares per year, twice the world’s average,” Iyorah said.
According to him, the rapid loss of Africa’s forests threatens biodiversity, people’s livelihoods, food security, and climate stability.
He said that 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.
He said that approximately 1.6 billion people, or 25 per cent of the global population, relied on forests for their subsistence needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.
He added that Nigeria is endowed with some of the continent’s most biodiverse rainforests.
Iyorah said 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 jeopardised.
“Despite these challenges, there is hope. Through innovation and collaboration, a sustainable future where forests thrive is possible,” Iyorah stated.
He explained that combating deforestation in Africa required a multifaceted approach, including sustainable land management, stronger law enforcement, renewable energy alternatives, and community involvement.
He said the public could also help protect forests by avoiding activities that contributed to habitat destruction and supporting conservation initiatives.
Iyorah quoted Dr Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson as saying:
“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.”
Iyorah said that Wild Africa would continue to advocate for stronger conservation policies and initiatives that would safeguard Nigeria’s forests using a combination of radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service announcements.
He said the campaigns had featured influential Nigerian ambassadors such as 2Baba, Nela Duke Ekpenyong, and other influential Nigerians.
He added that they had used the campaigns to highlight Nigeria’s forests, its potential and the need to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces for future generations.
By Fabian Ekeruche