Speaking at the ongoing 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), in Cali, Colombia, Nigeria’s minister of state for environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, has highlighted the country’s objectives to safeguard and conserve its biodiversity. Delivering Nigeria’s official statement, Iziaq stated that the nation supports the advancements being achieved in the preservation of its Natural Environment since the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted. He noted that Nigeria is approaching the completion of the adoption of an updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP).
This strategy offers a precise and optimistic road map for protecting and replenishing the nation’s natural resources. Through additional regulations, action plans, and policies, the nation is also enhancing its ability to safeguard the environment. He went on to say that Nigeria is setting the standard alongside its sister ECOWAS countries to guarantee the 30 by 30 objective is achieved, adding that the nation is headed in the right direction to effectively safeguard 30% of the ECOWAS area by 2030. He pointed out that nine of the fifteen ECOWAS nations had signed the new high-seas pact, demonstrating the subregion’s solidarity with Nigeria and its swift approval.
Govt is prepared to implement decisions made at COP16.
Additionally, the nation aims to collaborate with international leaders on the creation of systems to promote fair accountability for genuinely global action on to halt and reverse Forest degradation and Deforestation by 2030. According to the minister, achieving these objectives requires a genuine collaboration between the Global North and Global South. The minister stated by restating that the Nigerian government is prepared to carry out the decisions made at COP16. He added that without sacrificing Nigeria’s sovereignty, President Bola Tinubu is committed to making sure the country fulfills its obligations under multilateral environmental agreements.
In an attempt to protect its unique species and varied ecosystems from the dangers of deforestation, industrialization, and climate change, Nigeria has been aggressively stepping up efforts to conserve its biodiversity. Beyond the Kunming-Montreal framework, the country has forged alliances with foreign organizations and nearby nations. One of such alliances is the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), which funds Forestry initiatives throughout the continent. Nigeria has pledged under AFR100 to restore 4 million hectares of degraded land by 2030, with a focus on vital forest reserves and the expansion of green corridors to benefit both local populations and wildlife.
The country is moving closer to achieving its targets.
These initiatives conforms with Nigeria’s overarching objectives of encouraging sustainable land use and reducing carbon emissions, establishing biodiversity preservation as a key component of its climate policy. Nigeria’s action plan for biodiversity has likewise heavily relied on partnerships with foreign groups. Collaborations with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have raised funding and expertise for conservation projects, such as creating protected areas and wildlife corridors in areas like the Niger Delta and Cross River.
Also, the government is interacting with stakeholders and local communities to support community-led conservation and Sustainable Agricultural practices. These strategies are essential to the new Biodiversity Action Plan, which empowers local communities to manage their land by balancing environmental conservation and development. Nigeria is moving closer to achieving its biodiversity targets, supporting worldwide conservation initiatives, and pursuing sustainable growth with these recent advancements and international partnerships. These actions demonstrate the nation’s expanding position in the global environmental movement and represent a complete approach that may serve as a precedent for biodiversity protection in Africa.
Related Article: Gov’t examines laws to protect biodiversity
It should be noted that Nigeria still confronts numerous obstacles that could obstruct its development, despite its proactive biodiversity protection goals and international commitments. The nation’s ecosystems are further strained by changing environmental circumstances, which might also make it more difficult to rehabilitate degraded areas and save endangered species. Nigeria will need to improve regulatory enforcement, fortify its conservation frameworks, acquire greater funding, and increase Climate Change resilience in order to adequately address these issues. The country could become a pioneer in Sustainable Development in Africa and meet its biodiversity targets if these factors are accounted for.