Deep within Nigeria’s lush forests lies a highly sought-after natural treasure—rosewood, scientifically known as Pterocarpus erinaceus. This precious timber has become the focal point of an escalating environmental and economic challenge. According to Mr. Olalekan Fatoki, a researcher at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), the unregulated exploitation of rosewood is not only endangering Nigeria’s forest ecosystems but also raising questions about the effectiveness of forest governance.

In an exclusive chat with​ Guardian, Fatoki painted a stark picture of the situation, particularly in
Taraba State, where rosewood predominates. He revealed that illegal logging activities have surged in recent years, driven by an insatiable demand from China and other Asian markets.

“Between 2013 and 2015, Nigeria’s rosewood trade skyrocketed,” Fatoki said. “By the end of 2015, the country exported 242,203 cubic metres of rosewood to China—an 18-fold increase compared to 2013.” He noted that by 2015, Nigeria had become the largest exporter of rosewood logs to China, accounting for 45% of the country’s total imports. This translated to about 30 containers of rosewood leaving Nigerian ports for China every day.

The commercial trade in rosewood began in states like Kogi in 2013 before spreading to Taraba and Adamawa States in subsequent years. Fatoki explained that despite existing laws and regulations designed to control logging, enforcement has been weak, allowing illegal activities to flourish.

“Government policies have attempted to manage forest resources through both top-down and bottom-up approaches,” he said. The top-down approach involves directives from higher levels of government, but its success hinges on the strength of regulatory authorities.
Recognising its limitations, the government adopted a participatory bottom-up approach in 2006, encouraging local communities to play a role in policy implementation.

However, Fatoki acknowledged that these approaches have failed to adequately address the shared interests of local communities where rosewood is found. “This disconnect has hampered efforts to curb overexploitation,” he said.

The unchecked logging of rosewood is not only depleting forest resources but also disrupting the lives of local communities. Farmlands are often destroyed during the extraction process, depriving families of their primary means of livelihood. Fatoki stressed that the rights of local communities must be protected, and compensation should be provided when their resources are impacted.

“Rosewood merchants must not violate the rights of local community members,” he warned. “Farmland destruction is a direct threat to their survival and dignity.”

To address these challenges, Fatoki proposed the adoption of timber certification mechanisms, particularly the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. This global standard promotes environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable forest management.

“The FSC certification process involves three key elements: forest management, chain of custody, and controlled wood certificates,” he explained. “This approach uses market acceptance as an enforcement tool, rather than relying solely on regulatory compliance.”

Fatoki also emphasised the need for training loggers on FSC’s reduced impact logging (RIL) approach to ensure sustainable harvesting practices. “This will help preserve forest ecosystems while allowing local communities to benefit from the resources,” he said.

Fatoki urged the Taraba State Department of Forestry to enforce compliance with forest laws and regulations, ensuring that loggers and merchants adhere to FSC standards. He recommended that only traders with FSC’s Chain of Custody (CoC) certification should be allowed to operate.

Additionally, Fatoki called for vigilant monitoring of logging activities to prevent the destruction of farmlands and ensure that locals are not denied access to the forests’ benefits. “Sustainability should be the guiding principle in managing Taraba’s rosewood resources,” he said.

The rosewood trade presents a complex challenge for Nigeria—a battle between economic opportunity and environmental sustainability. While the global demand for rosewood persists, experts like Fatoki believe that with proper governance, community engagement, and adherence to international best practices, Nigeria can strike a balance.

The question now is whether the government and stakeholders will act swiftly enough to save the country’s forests and secure the livelihoods of its people. For now, the fate of Nigeria’s rosewood lies in the balance.