Nigeria’s determination to Combat Deforestation remains steadfast – FG

By Rashidat Oladele

The Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by Dr. Ishaq Salako, the Minister of State for Environment, has reaffirmed its dedication to tackling deforestation and the challenges hindering sustainable forest management, particularly commodity-driven deforestation.

The Minister emphasized that a significant obstacle to addressing deforestation and issues related to sustainable forest management, such as commodity-driven deforestation, is the absence of comprehensive land use planning.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of State at the Centre for Human Settlements and Sustainable Development Nigeria (CHUSSDEV) Forest Positive for Commodity Export From Nigeria (FPEN) High-Level Policy Meeting in Abuja, Hajara Sami, Director of the Federal Department of Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, commended CHUSSDEV for organizing the high-level policy discussion.

She stated that this initiative is a step in the right direction and will greatly enhance ongoing efforts at the federal, state, and local levels.

Salako expressed his hope that the pilot project for land use study in Cross River State would be expanded nationwide.

He noted that Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, has been proactive in addressing deforestation and related challenges, including commodity-driven deforestation.

He mentioned Nigeria’s acceptance of the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use in 2021, emphasizing the country’s commitment to national and international actions aimed at realizing the goals of the declaration.

Salako also highlighted the significance of the Forest, Agriculture, and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue (formerly UK-PACT), which aims to promote sustainable land-use practices and create economic opportunities in forestry, land use, and agriculture.

He pointed out that the FACT Dialogue’s goals align with Nigeria’s strategy for sustainable forest management, climate change mitigation, and economic growth.

Salako commended Forest Positive for Commodity Export from Nigeria (FPEN) for operating in line with UK-PACT guidelines, promoting commodity trade for economic success, and contributing to forest conservation and effective management.

According to a World Bank Scoping Study on the Drivers of Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Nigeria, agriculture has consistently been identified as a major contributor to deforestation in the country.

Salako highlighted the importance of addressing these factors through institutional and capacity enhancement, a priority for the Ministry.

The High-Level Policy Meeting of Forest Positives for Commodity Export from Nigeria, a Regional Demonstration, was launched in August 2022 with the support of UK-PACT Funding to promote Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change Challenges in Nigeria, as stated by Prof. Seyi Fabiyi, Chairman of CHUSSDEV.

As the project concludes, it is essential to share its outcomes, outputs, and recommendations with stakeholders and policymakers for integration into Nigeria’s climate change policy framework.

Prof. Fabiyi noted the alignment of topics discussed at the African Climate Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, with the meeting’s agenda.

He emphasized that policy changes in the field of climate change are more of a marathon than a sprint, and the project team is committed to providing a widely accepted platform for monitoring forests and ensuring that agricultural commodities are produced without causing deforestation.

He concluded by stating that the project will position Nigeria competitively in the global carbon market and promote sustainable commodities.