Advancing Nigeria’s Biodiversity Conservation: Insights from the Stakeholders’ Workshop on Forest Reserves and Protected Areas

Abuja, Nigeria – February 17th & 18th, 2025.

Research from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) suggests that around 46,300 species are threatened with extinction, many of them within a few decades. About 75% of the terrestrial environment is “severely altered,” and more than 85% of wetlands have disappeared. Today, only 15% of the world’s landmass and 7% of the oceans are under protection. Ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss are major contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 20% of global emissions.

Recognizing this urgent crisis, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP-WCMC), hosted a Stakeholders’ Workshop on the Status of Forest Reserves and Protected Areas in Nigeria. Held on February 17-18, 2025, in Abuja, the workshop served as a critical platform for assessing Nigeria’s progress toward achieving the 30×30 global biodiversity target, improving conservation strategies, and addressing challenges in the protection of forest reserves and protected areas.

Mrs. Folake Salawu, National Coordinator, Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) Programme, NCF, taking participants through the workshop’s key objectives and expected outcomes. 

Why Protecting Nigeria’s Forest Reserves Matters

Nigeria is home to a diverse range of ecosystems, including 17 National Parks, over 1,129 Forest Reserves, Game Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Ramsar Sites. These areas play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development. However, threats such as deforestation, illegal logging, encroachment, and habitat destruction continue to pose serious challenges.

Dr. Moses Ama, Director of Forestry at FMENV, emphasized the urgency of conservation efforts, stating, “We are at a decisive turning point for the future of our forests and biodiversity. Protecting our ecosystems is no longer an option but an urgent necessity. This workshop is a crucial step in ensuring that Nigeria strengthens its forest reserves and protected areas as effective measures in restoring our natural world and securing our collective future.”

Key Highlights from the Stakeholders’ Workshop

The workshop provided a platform for conservation experts, government representatives, and environmental organizations to:

• Assess the Current Status of Nigeria’s Protected Areas: Stakeholders reviewed existing forest reserves and protected areas across all 36 states and the FCT to ensure accurate data and management strategies.
• GIS Mapping and Data Validation: Experts presented the latest Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping technologies to track land use changes, deforestation, and conservation efforts.
• Strengthen Nigeria’s Position in Global Conservation: The workshop aligned Nigeria’s conservation efforts with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (K-M GBF) and emphasized the importance of updating Nigeria’s protected area data on ProtectedPlanet.net.
• Enhance Collaboration Between Government and Local Communities: Participants discussed how state governments, local communities, and indigenous groups can play a more active role in conservation efforts.
• Develop Sustainable Solutions for Forest Management: The workshop explored ways to promote eco-friendly policies, sustainable forest management, and community-driven conservation initiatives.

Mr. Adedamola Ogunsesan, Director of Technical Programmes, NCF, taking the participants through the protected areas

Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General of NCF, highlighted the role of state governments in achieving conservation goals, stating, “We have committed to the 30×30 global target, and our journey must begin with the protection of existing forest reserves. The Federal Government has set the vision, but achieving this goal requires full collaboration with state governments. Together, we must take action to safeguard Nigeria’s biodiversity and secure sustainable ecosystems for future generations.”

Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director-General, NCF, talking about the importance of the 30×30 target and how partnership is key to achieving it.

Expected Outcomes and Next Steps

As a result of this landmark workshop, Nigeria is set to:

• Develop a comprehensive compendium of the country’s forest reserves and protected areas and update it on the UNEP-WCMC World Database on Protected Areas (WPDA).

• Identify and restore degraded ecosystems under the Green Recovery Nigeria (GRN) initiative.
• Strengthen forest management structures and enhance protection measures against illegal activities.
• Encourage community-led conservation initiatives and improve local stakeholder engagement.
• Ensure better collaboration between federal and state governments in advancing biodiversity protection.

Cross-section of participants at the workshop.

How You Can Get Involved

NCF encourages individuals, organizations, and policymakers to take action in preserving Nigeria’s forests and biodiversity. Whether through advocacy, community participation, sustainable business practices, or supporting conservation projects, everyone has a role to play in securing a greener, more sustainable future. To support conservation efforts, you can partner directly with NCF by becoming an individual or corporate member.

For more updates on our conservation efforts, visit www.ncfnigeria.org and follow us across all social media platforms @ncfnigeria.

Group photograph of participants at the workshop.