Nigeria has rolled out a bold $1 billion initiative aimed at restoring its forests and addressing the growing threats of deforestation, climate change, and declining natural resources that many citizens rely on for survival.
The programme, unveiled in Abuja during the National Validation Workshop for the “Securing Nigeria’s Forest Future (SNFF)” project, outlines a comprehensive 10-year plan (2026–2036). It focuses on rehabilitating degraded forest areas, improving governance, and securing sustainable funding for long-term impact.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Abbas Lawal, expressed concern over the increasing pressure on the country’s forests. He noted that deforestation, poor resource management, land-use changes, and climate-related challenges are rapidly weakening ecosystems that support millions of Nigerians.
According to him, forests remain vital to environmental stability, economic strength, and livelihoods, stressing that the current situation calls for urgent and coordinated national action.
The SNFF initiative, developed under the global Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP), is designed to turn Nigeria’s climate pledges into practical results. It combines forest restoration, climate resilience, job creation, and innovative financing into a single, unified strategy.
A key goal of the plan is to raise about $1 billion through a mix of public funds, international climate support, private sector investment, and carbon market opportunities.
Also speaking, the Director of Forestry at the Ministry of Environment, Halima Bawa-Bwari, described the initiative as a major step forward for environmental management in Nigeria. She emphasized the urgent need for sustained and coordinated efforts to protect forest resources.
She pointed out that forests play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity, regulating climate, and supporting the economy, but are increasingly under threat from factors such as rising energy demand, agricultural expansion, and environmental degradation.
Bawa-Bwari added that tackling these challenges will require collaboration among government agencies, private investors, development partners, and local communities.
She explained that the SNFF framework provides a clear roadmap for reform, including restoring damaged landscapes, strengthening institutional coordination, creating green jobs, and improving transparency and monitoring systems.
Both officials stressed that the success of the initiative will depend largely on inclusive participation, especially from local communities, civil society organisations, and state governments.
They noted that the validation workshop is an important step in fine-tuning the plan to ensure it reflects broad national input and delivers real results.
Describing the process as a collective effort, Bawa-Bwari said it is aimed at building a shared vision that benefits both the environment and the people.
Lawal also highlighted that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s existing environmental policies and global commitments, including the National Forest Policy, the National REDD+ Strategy, the Paris Agreement, and the Climate Change Act of 2021.
He expressed optimism that the outcome of the workshop would strengthen Nigeria’s forest conservation efforts and make them more effective.
With this move, he said, Nigeria is taking a significant step toward protecting its forests for future generations while contributing to global climate and biodiversity goals.
Stakeholders at the workshop—including representatives from government, development partners, civil society, and the private sector—are expected to finalise a framework that could reshape forest management in Nigeria over the next decade.
If successfully implemented, the initiative could mark a major turning point in the country’s fight against environmental degradation, while also unlocking new opportunities for green investment, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
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