Nigeria Loses Up to 300,000 Hectares of Forest Annually, Experts Warn of Human Security Crisis

Nigeria is grappling with a severe ecological crisis, losing vast forest areas annually due to deforestation, illegal mining, and climate change, which significantly threatens human security. Environmental stakeholders at the Third Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence called for a people-centred approach to natural resource governance and the adoption of a National Just Energy Transition and Critical Minerals Strategy.

Pelumi Ilesanmi • Local • 1 month ago • 2 minute read •

Key Points

• Nigeria is facing a severe environmental crisis, losing an alarming 250,000 to 300,000 hectares of forest annually, resulting in over 70 per cent loss of its total forest reserves.

• This extensive deforestation, coupled with illegal mining, biodiversity loss, and climate change, is profoundly deepening Nigeria's human security crisis and threatening national stability.

• Stakeholders at the Third Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence called for a National Just Energy Transition and Critical Minerals Strategy to prioritize ecological security and community development.

Nigeria Loses Up to 300,000 Hectares of Forest Annually, Experts Warn of Human Security Crisis

Nigeria is losing between 250,000 and 300,000 hectares of forest every year, with more than 70 per cent of its forest reserves already depleted, according to stakeholders at the Third Nigeria Socio-Ecological Alternatives Convergence (NSAC) in Abuja.

Convened by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation (HOMEF) and its partners, the conference warned that deforestation, illegal mining, biodiversity loss, pollution, and climate change are deepening the country's human security challenges.

Participants described the ecological crisis as an existential threat to livelihoods, food security, public health, and economic stability, linking it to rising conflicts, displacement, poverty, and the weakening of rural communities.

Stakeholders cautioned that the growing global demand for critical minerals could expose Nigeria to a new wave of environmentally destructive extractive activities if adequate safeguards are not put in place.

While acknowledging the opportunities presented by the global energy transition, they stressed that Nigeria must avoid repeating the mistakes of its oil-dependent past, where host communities suffered environmental degradation with little economic benefit.

The convergence identified weak institutions, poor enforcement of environmental laws, and profit-driven development models as key factors worsening the country's ecological challenges, calling for a people-centred and environmentally responsible approach to resource governance.

Participants also condemned the inadequate protection of customary land rights and the exclusion of affected communities from decisions relating to mining and development projects.

They urged the Federal Government to urgently adopt a comprehensive National Just Energy Transition and Critical Minerals Strategy that prioritises ecological security, renewable energy, climate action, sustainable industrialisation, and equitable community development.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from stakeholders to strengthen collaboration in advancing ecological justice and sustainable development across Nigeria.

Add us on Google