Wild Africa calls for urgent action to protect Nigeria’s forests

Wild Africa, an international environmental nonprofit, has asked the Nigerian government, private sector, and conservation organisations to intensify efforts in protecting the nation’s forests, which serve as a refuge for its most iconic wildlife species.

In a statement on Friday to mark the International Day of Forests, the wildlife organisation said Nigeria has experienced a 12 percent decrease in tree cover in the last two decades, which is equivalent to 1.25 million hectares.

Wild Africa added that approximately 60% of the forest loss is due to logging, agricultural expansion, mainly through slash-and-burn farming practices and commercial plantation developments.

This year’s theme, “Forests and Foods”, celebrates forests’ pivotal roles in food security, nutrition, and livelihoods.

The organisation noted that forests sustain life by providing food, fuel, medicinal ingredients, income, and employment, especially to host communities closer to forests, and they also protect 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 4 million hectares per year, twice the world’s average. The rapid loss of Africa’s forests threatens biodiversity, people’s livelihoods, food security, and climate stability,” the statement reads.

“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. Approximately 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests for their subsistence needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.

“Nigeria is endowed with some of the continent’s most biodiverse rainforests. 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 jeopardized.”

Wild Africa said despite these challenges, there is hope through innovation and collaboration.

The NGO stated that combating deforestation in Africa requires a multifaceted approach, including sustainable land management, stronger law enforcement, renewable energy alternatives, and community involvement.

The public can also help protect forests by avoiding activities that contribute to habitat destruction and supporting conservation initiatives, Wild Africa added.

“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.” said Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson.