When the population of Nigeria is considered, the statistics regarding deforestation ceases to be surprising. From Nigeria’s independence in 1960 to 2021, the population of Nigeria increased from 45.14 million to over 200 million people. The consequence of this is multi-pronged. As the population continues to explode, more towns will have to be developed and civilization will have to expand to places that have not been inhabited before. In the case of Nigeria, new houses have been built and new roads have been paved.
All these affect the environment in many ways. One major example is deforestation. This is the systematic removal of forest coverage due to human activities and natural occurrences. In other words, it is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land which is converted to non-forest use. The land can be converted to farms, ranches, or living areas. This is understandable as the growing population necessitates the use of trees for building houses and other household items. In some remote areas, trees are felled for cooking.
Nigeria’s problematic statistics should concern the government.
The United Nations (UN) has reported that Nigeria has the highest deforestation rate in the world. According to the agency, Nigeria loses an estimated 3.7 percent of its forest yearly. Additionally, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) also confirms that Nigeria has the world’s highest rate of losses of primary forests. In fact, the country has lost more than half of its primary forests in five years. Staggeringly, the country also lost 55.7 percent of her primary forests between 2000 and 2005, while it lost 97.8 kilohectare (kg/ha) of natural forest in 2020.
This should concern the Federal Government, the state governments and the local governments in the country. A primary factor for this situation has been identified as the immense pressure mounted on the natural forest cover by a growing population. Expectedly, the exponential increase in Nigeria’s population meant that more forests would be cleared for the purpose of farming and other agricultural activities. Of course, Nigeria is still yet to explore beyond the traditional practices of farming. This results in less yield compared to the expanse of land being used. In more developed countries, the same amount of land would produce more output.
Several factors also contribute to deforestation in Nigeria.
Admittedly, due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, the pressure for more space and wood for housing needs, manufacturing and construction of infrastructure for social amenities like schools and hospitals have been more significant. However, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has confirmed that more than half of Nigerians are multidimensionally poor. A source is also quoted as saying that about 133 million people live below the poverty line. This means that the households that these people make up would be unable to afford clean energy like cooking gas, kerosene and even electricity.
It should also be noted that Nigeria does not even have a 100-percent electricity penetration. Thus, some remote places do not have access to this clean energy. As a result, they depend on traditional alternatives for cooking. Also very significant is the fact that practically all bakeries run on wood as fuel. Logging companies and individuals contribute their quota as well to the statistics, although their activities can be linked to weak enforcement and corruption.
Nigeria has introduced a number of policies unsuccessfully.
The country launched the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) strategy in 2021. It was to curtail the issue in Nigeria with the assistance of the World Bank’s Forest Carbon Partnership Facility as well as UN Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (UN-REDD) program. There was also technical assistance from other bodies such as FAO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). However, the latest data shows that Nigeria leads in deforestation hardly lends credence to the effectiveness of the policies. Of course, it is also doubtful that FG’s pledge at COP26 to end this major problem by 2030 will be achieved.
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Nigeria has highest rate of deforestation. – The country loses an estimated 3.7% of its forest every year. – Express your point of view.
Nigeria’s high rate of deforestation is a major cause for concern. The government need to work to curb deforestation by implementing effective policies and strategies for sustainable forest management and conservation. This way, Nigeria can slow down the alarming rate of deforestation and ultimately mitigate climate change.
It is very unfortunate we have a very high rate of deforestation. We need to start planting trees as soon as possible. It will help the climate and the environment.
Moved to expand and build new infrastructure in the country has increase the level of deforestation instances. The only thing the government can do is just to promote afforestation among the people.
The deforestation problem in the country is really getting out of hand and all hands must be on deck to curb it or reduce it to the bearest minimum.Laws must be made to punish the offenders of bush burning.
Having the highest rate of deforestation is not good planting of new tree to replace the cut ones is necessary to help the environment government need to take deforestation problem serious
Nigeria has highest rate of deforestation. Nigeria has big issues, deforestation is much in Nigeria. Government need to do the needful
Losing an estimated of 3.7 percent forest yearly in Nigeria is way too much we need to do something. Majority of this is caused by urbanization and industrialization and this has cause a strong issue to look at.
As the population continues to explode, more towns will have to be developed and civilization will have to expand to places that have not been inhabited before so Admittedly, due to rapid urbanization and industrialization, the pressure for more space and wood for housing needs, manufacturing and construction of infrastructure for social amenities like schools and hospitals have been more significant.
The rate which Nigeria is losing it forest is very scary. From all indication mentioned in the article above the deforestation is happening at a fast pace exposing the country to desert encroachment and erosion. Disrupting the ecosystem and given room for green house buildup. I will urge the government to put in check the clearing of trees in the primary forest.
The country loses an estimated 3.7% of its forest every year is dangerous to our ecosystem and should be address urgently. Policies formulate to address failed because they were not enforce and agencies tasked to handle this might not have their officials well renumerated so they can result to bribery and corruption for survival neglecting their duties.