Nigeria has launched a $1 billion forest restoration programme aimed at tackling deforestation, climate change, and the degradation of natural resources that sustain millions of livelihoods.
The initiative was unveiled on Thursday in Abuja during the National Validation Workshop of Nigeria’s Country Package titled “Securing Nigeria’s Forest Future (SNFF)”, where stakeholders reviewed a 10-year plan (2026–2036) focused on restoring degraded landscapes and strengthening environmental governance.
Speaking at the workshop, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, warned that Nigeria’s forests are under severe pressure from deforestation, land-use change, and unsustainable exploitation.
He said forests remain central to environmental stability and economic resilience, but require urgent and coordinated national action to prevent further loss.
“The pressures they face today demand urgent and coordinated national action,” he said.
The SNFF programme, developed under the global Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership, is designed to align Nigeria’s climate commitments with measurable outcomes through restoration, green job creation, and sustainable financing.
At the core of the plan is a goal to mobilise about $1 billion in blended finance from public funds, climate finance, private investment, and carbon market mechanisms.
Director of Forestry in the Ministry of Environment, Halima Bawa-Bwari, described the initiative as a turning point in Nigeria’s environmental management, stressing the need for long-term coordination across sectors.
She noted that Nigeria’s forests are increasingly threatened by agricultural expansion, rising energy demand, and environmental degradation, calling for a unified national response.
“Our forest landscapes are under immense strain,” she said during her presentation.
Officials said the framework would also strengthen institutional coordination, expand green livelihood opportunities, and improve transparency in forest governance.
Stakeholders from government, civil society, and the private sector are expected to refine the strategy further before final adoption, with emphasis on inclusive participation from forest-dependent communities.
If implemented effectively, the SNFF initiative is expected to significantly reshape Nigeria’s forest management approach while contributing to climate resilience and sustainable economic growth.
