Nigeria Faces 90% Forest Cover Loss in 30 Years

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has reported that Nigeria has lost nearly 90% of its forest cover in the last three decades, leaving less than 10% of the original forest landscape intact. Mr. Kunle Olawoyin, the Director of Communication, Policy, and Advocacy at NCF, made this statement on March 21, coinciding with International Day of Forests.

He highlighted that Nigeria has one of the highest deforestation rates globally, driven by illegal logging, agricultural expansion, and urbanization. The reliance on fuelwood and charcoal by a significant portion of the population continues to exert pressure on remaining forest reserves.

Olawoyin warned that without urgent coordinated intervention, the environmental and economic consequences could be severe. Dr. Joseph Onoja, the Director General of NCF, emphasized the vital role of forests in human survival and climate stability.

The foundation is implementing initiatives to reverse forest loss, including the Green Recovery Nigeria program, aiming to restore the country’s forest cover to 25% by 2047 and planting 265,561 trees across various ecosystems by 2025.