Nigeria Urged to Revamp Environmental Strategy Amid Crisis

Nigeria faces a critical environmental crisis, with deforestation, climate change, and biodiversity loss posing significant threats. Currently, less than 4% of the country's original forest cover remains, with an alarming annual loss of 3.5%.

Approximately 1.5 million trees are cut down daily, primarily due to illegal logging, which threatens 484 plant species with extinction. The country has lost 3.7 million hectares of forest since 1981.

Additionally, desert encroachment is advancing at 1.6 kilometers annually, and flooding is exacerbated by rising temperatures. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) emphasizes the need for a comprehensive reset of the environmental agenda, including the Great Green Wall project, which requires adequate funding and stringent environmental impact assessments.

The lack of capacity and funding for the National Park Service further complicates efforts to protect biodiversity. Effective measures are necessary to combat pollution and restore the environment, ensuring sustainable management of natural resources.