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| Photo: In Nigeria's forests, loggers outnumber trees | Photo source: Aljazeera |
By Oluchi Omai
A Village on the Edge
In the shadow of a once-verdant forest, Olomoro village in Delta State now rises at sunrise to silent tree stumps and windswept ridges. Farmers like Ada struggle to coax a meagre yam harvest from sun-scorched soils, while her children recall childhood games beneath a canopy that no longer exists. Their story is not unique—across southern Nigeria, whole communities are waking up to a world with fewer trees, hotter days and threats to water, crops and livelihoods.
The Scale of the Problem
Nigeria has one of the world’s highest deforestation rates, losing an estimated 3.7 per cent of its forest each year. By some accounts, the country sheds 350,000–400,000 hectares of tree cover annually—enough to clear two football pitches every minute. Since 2000, this has translated into a net loss of 1.33 million hectares of tree cover and 724 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. At the present pace, Nigeria’s remaining forests could vanish within a generation.
Why Falling Trees Matter
Trees are the backbone of Nigeria’s water cycle. Their roots hold soil in place, preventing erosion and maintaining clear streams for drinking and irrigation. When forests disappear:
Rainwater rushes away, causing floods in wet seasons and droughts in dry spells.
Topsoil washes into rivers, silting up reservoirs and cutting off fish that sustain riverside communities.
Temperatures rise without shade, pushing fragile crops to wilt and harming human health.
The impacts of falling trees extend beyond the immediate environment:
Loss of Biodiversity: Forests are home to countless species of plants and animals. Deforestation disrupts habitats, leading to the extinction of species and a reduction in biodiversity.
Economic Consequences: Many rural communities depend on forests for their livelihoods, including timber, fruits, and medicinal plants. The loss of forests can lead to economic hardship and increased poverty.
Climate Change Acceleration: Trees act as carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Their removal contributes to higher greenhouse gas levels, exacerbating global warming.
Cultural and Social Disruption: Forests often hold cultural significance for local communities. Their destruction can lead to a loss of heritage and identity, as well as social conflicts over dwindling resources.
Without urgent action, these cascading effects threaten food security, clean water, biodiversity, economic stability, and the very fabric of rural life.
Trees are the backbone of Nigeria’s water cycle. Their roots hold soil in place, preventing erosion and maintaining clear streams for drinking and irrigation. When forests disappear:
Rainwater rushes away, causing floods in wet seasons and droughts in dry spells.
Topsoil washes into rivers, silting up reservoirs and cutting off fish that sustain riverside communities.
Temperatures rise without shade, pushing fragile crops to wilt and harming human health.
Without urgent action, these cascading effects threaten food security, clean water and the very fabric of rural life.
Remedies from the Ground Up
Communities are proving that restoring forests is possible when people lead the way:
Community nurseries grow native seedlings and distribute them free to households.
“Adopt-a-School” tree-planting pledges encourage pupils to tend saplings for fresh air and learning.
Local cooperatives build simple charcoal kilns that burn branches cleanly and turn wood waste into income.
These grassroots efforts rebuild woodlands while giving farmers fresh jobs, reducing the need to cut more trees.
Stronger Policies and Enforcement
Nigeria’s federal and state governments have laid out a policy framework to halt tree loss:
The National Forest Policy (2019) mandates strict limits on logging, clear guidelines for reforestation and penalties for illegal felling.
A National REDD+ strategy offers payments for reduced emissions from deforestation and forest degradation, aiming to make standing forests more valuable than cleared land.
Green Recovery Nigeria, led by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, targets a rise in forest cover from today’s 4–7 per cent to 25 per cent by 2047 through protected-area expansion and landscape restoration.
Yet laws only work when enforced. Regular patrols, satellite monitoring and community-led reporting are vital to turn policy into real-world protection.
A Shared Responsibility
Falling trees are more than a lost vista—they signal a weakening of Nigeria’s natural defences, food systems and livelihoods. Every planted sapling, every enforced fine and every school lesson on tree care is a step toward a greener future. By combining local action with clear laws and incentives, Nigeria can turn the tide on deforestation, ensuring that villages like Olomoro awake again under leafy boughs rather than open sky.
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