The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has decried the continued depletion of Nigeria’s forests and called for urgent, practical measures to safeguard the country’s critical natural assets.

In a statement marking this year’s International Day of Forests, themed “Forests and Economies,” the organisation urged governments at all levels to strengthen forest governance, enforce existing environmental laws, and increase budgetary allocations for forest conservation and restoration.

It also called on the private sector to invest in sustainable practices and nature-based solutions, noting that nature provides essential resources, regulates climate, and supports agriculture, tourism, and innovation.

Nigeria’s forests, the group warned, are in a critical state of decline, with one of the highest deforestation rates globally. The country loses an estimated 400,000 hectares of forest yearly, largely due to illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanisation.

Over th e past three decades, nearly 90 per cent of forest cover has been lost, leaving only a fraction of the original forest landscape intact. Today, less than 10 per cent remains, underscoring the urgent need for large-scale restoration and sustainable forest management.

A significant proportion of Nigerians rely on fuelwood and charcoal for daily energy needs, placing immense pressure on the remaining forest reserves. Beyond energy use, forests support agriculture, regulate water systems, and provide raw materials and income for millions, particularly in underserved communities. Despite their immense economic value, however, forests remain among the most undervalued natural assets in Nigeria’s development planning.

The foundation noted that, despite ongoing efforts by government and stakeholders, major challenges persist. These include illegal logging, weak enforcement of environmental regulations, rising demand for land and energy, and limited investment in restoration, all of which continue to drive forest loss.

The Director-General of NCF, Dr Joseph Onoja, highlighted the critical role forests play not only in environmental sustainability but also in supporting livelihoods, economic resilience, and national development.

While reaffirming its commitment to working with stakeholders to ensure forests continue to deliver ecological and economic benefits for present and future generations, Onoja warned that failure to act urgently could result in severe long-term environmental and economic consequences.

He said, “Forests are vital for life on Earth. They produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide to combat climate change, host most of the planet’s terrestrial biodiversity, regulate water cycles, protect soil, and provide essential resources such as timber, food, medicine, and livelihoods for millions.”

Onoja added that NCF has implemented several interventions aimed at reversing forest loss and promoting sustainable livelihoods, including the Green Recovery Nigeria Programme, a flagship national initiative targeting an increase in Nigeria’s forest cover to 25 per cent by 2047.

“In 2025 alone, with support from our partners, we planted 265,561 trees across various ecosystems. Other initiatives include community-based forest management programmes, biodiversity conservation efforts, forest reserve management projects, and strategic partnerships with government and the private sector to promote sustainable land-use practices while creating alternative livelihoods that reduce dependence on unsustainable forest exploitation,” Onoja said.