NCF, partners unveil initiative to combat deforestation

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Natural Eco Capital, and Business for Nature have launched a new partnership to combat Nigeria’s alarming deforestation rates and promote nature-positive development.

Speaking at the Business Advisory Group Inauguration Workshop in Abuja, Deputy Director, Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment, Chris Aiwuyo, said, “Nigeria’s commitment to achieving a nature-positive future is deeply rooted in our national vision for sustainable development.

“Partnerships like this are vital to ensuring that the Nigerian private sector, civil society, and government move in the same direction to align investment and innovation with our biodiversity and climate goals. Together, we can build an economy that grows by restoring, not depleting, our natural wealth.”

Also speaking, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Joseph Onoja, noted that, “According to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, only about four per cent of Nigeria’s original forest cover remains, and the country loses approximately 400,000 hectares of forest annually due to logging, agriculture, and urban expansion. Between 2000 and 2020, the nation’s tree cover declined by 13 per cent, making Nigeria one of the countries with the fastest rates of deforestation in Africa.

He added, “This partnership creates a unique platform to engage the private sector as an essential partner in restoring ecosystems, creating green jobs, and safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage for future generations.”

Emphasising the economic value of nature, the CEO of Natural Eco Capital, Eugene Itua, said, “Nature is one of our most valuable assets, and its protection must be seen as smart economics, not philanthropy. By linking biodiversity targets with business strategy and national development priorities, this partnership will help companies understand, measure, and manage their dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities on nature in ways that create shared value.”

African Lead, Business for Nature, Oluwasooto Ajayi, explained, “Businesses in Nigeria are increasingly paying attention to nature as part of their broader work on sustainability, but they are not yet all aware of how their work contributes to national plans to protect, restore, and sustainably use nature. This collaboration will help accelerate progress for nature in Nigeria by connecting private sector leadership with national biodiversity and climate priorities.”

The initiative also aims to build awareness and capacity for nature-positive action across key sectors, helping businesses integrate climate and biodiversity considerations into their operations. By doing so, Nigeria can advance toward a resilient, sustainable economy while contributing to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land).

Nigeria’s forests are under significant threat, with only about 4 per cent of the country’s original forest cover remaining. The nation loses roughly 400,000 hectares of forest annually due to logging, agriculture, and urban expansion, and between 2000 and 2020, tree cover declined by 13 per cent, making Nigeria one of Africa’s fastest-deforesting countries.

This initiative highlights the urgent need for businesses to integrate biodiversity into decision-making and contribute to restoration efforts.

culled from punch