By Abdullahi Lukman
Wild Africa has issued an urgent call for action to protect Nigeria’s rapidly diminishing forests, highlighting a 12 percent decrease in tree cover over the past two decades.
This equates to a loss of 1.25 million hectares, primarily due to logging and agricultural expansion.
The organization’s statement, released on the International Day of Forests (March 21, 2025), emphasized the critical role of these forests in sustaining biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security.
Festus Iyorah, Wild Africa Nigeria’s Representative, warned that continued deforestation threatens iconic wildlife such as the Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee and the critically endangered Cross River gorilla, found in the Cross River National Park.
“The forest is more than trees – it is life, shelter, and the heartbeat of our planet,” stated Dr. Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson, highlighting the irreversible consequences of unchecked deforestation.
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He noted that approximately 60 percent of the loss is due to logging, agricultural expansion, mainly through slash-and-burn farming practices and commercial plantation developments.
Globally, forests provide sustenance to 1.6 billion people, contributing to food security and livelihoods.
In Africa, however, deforestation is occurring at twice the global average, at a rate of more than four million hectares per year, jeopardizing biodiversity, food security, and climate stability.
To combat this crisis, Wild Africa advocates for a multifaceted approach, including sustainable land management, stronger law enforcement, renewable energy alternatives, and community involvement.
The organization also encourages public participation in conservation efforts and supports initiatives that protect Nigeria’s forests.
Wild Africa has launched public awareness campaigns featuring influential Nigerian ambassadors like 2Baba and Nela Duke Ekpenyong, utilizing radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service announcements to highlight the importance of forest conservation.
The organization expressed its resolve to continue advocating for stronger conservation policies and initiatives to safeguard Nigeria’s forests for future generations.
