By Nwafor Sunday

As the world commemorates the International Day of Forests, conservation group Wild Africa has called on the Nigerian government, private sector, and conservation organizations to scale up efforts in protecting the country’s forests, which serve as critical habitats for iconic wildlife species.

Nigeria has witnessed a staggering 12% decline in tree cover over the past two decades, translating to a loss of 1.25 million hectares of forestland. Alarmingly, 60% of this deforestation stems from logging, agricultural expansion, and commercial plantation development, primarily through unsustainable slash-and-burn farming practices.

This year’s International Day of Forests theme, “Forests and Foods,” highlights the essential role of forests in ensuring food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Forests not only provide food, fuel, medicinal ingredients, and income, but also play a crucial role in water conservation, carbon sequestration, soil fertility enhancement, and crop pollination.

Across Africa, deforestation is accelerating at a rate of over 4 million hectares per year, twice the global average. This alarming trend threatens biodiversity, food security, livelihoods, and climate stability across the continent.

Globally, forests provide a rich array of nuts, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, leaves, mushrooms, honey, cacao pods, meat, and insects, forming a vital component of many diets. An estimated 1.6 billion people—25% of the world’s population—depend on forests for their survival, including food, employment, and income.

Nigeria is home to some of Africa’s most biodiverse rainforests, including Cross River National Park, a 4,000-square-kilometer forest in the south. This park shelters Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees, drill monkeys, forest elephants, and the critically endangered Cross River gorilla. However, illegal logging, agricultural encroachment, and urbanization are endangering these vital habitats.

As forests shrink, biodiversity declines, and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities come under severe threat.

Despite these challenges, hope remains. A sustainable future for Africa’s forests requires: Sustainable land management, Stronger law enforcement against illegal logging, Renewable energy alternatives to reduce dependence on wood fuel and Community involvement in conservation efforts

Individuals can also play a role by avoiding activities that contribute to habitat destruction and supporting conservation initiatives.

“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 Dr. Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson.

Wild Africa continues to push for stronger conservation policies through public awareness campaigns via radio, TV, billboards, newspapers, and public service announcements (PSAs). The organization collaborates with prominent Nigerian ambassadors such as 2Baba and Nela Duke Ekpenyong to highlight the need to protect Nigeria’s forests, wildlife, and wild spaces for future generations.

As Nigeria marks the International Day of Forests, the urgent call is clear: preserving forests today is key to safeguarding biodiversity, food security, and the well-being of future generations.