Forests are more than trees; they are economic lifelines, climate stabilisers, and biodiversity strongholds. Yet Nigeria loses between 250,000 and 350,000 hectares of forest every year, threatening community livelihoods, wildlife habitats, and national climate resilience. Globally, the challenge is just as urgent: the world loses 10 million hectares of forest annually, with permanent forest loss reaching 6.6 million hectares in 2022.
This is why the 2026 International Day of Forests, celebrated under the theme “Forests and Economics,” held special significance for the Edo State Forestry Commission (EFC). In partnership with the UK Government-funded Propcom+, the Commission used the occasion to formally launch the Okomu Forest Management Plan (FMP), a transformative 25-year roadmap designed to advance sustainable forest management, drive economic revitalisation, and strengthen climate action.
Why does this matter? Nigeria has already lost over 55% of its primary forests in the last two decades, reducing national forest cover to less than 13%. This decline is driven by agricultural expansion, unregulated logging, urbanisation, and fuelwood demand. Without decisive action, projections warn that Nigeria’s forests could disappear entirely by 2052.
This is the core constraint Propcom+ seeks to address through its Sustainable Commodity and Agroforestry (SCAF) interventions: unsustainable land use and the absence of operational forest management systems. The Okomu Management Plan represents a structured, government‑owned, evidence‑based framework capable of reforming how forest resources are protected and utilised.
Hosted at the Edo State Forestry Commission, the event convened policymakers, academics, forest rangers, community leaders, and representatives from Okomu National Park and the University of Benin.
In his opening remarks, Hon. Valentine Owamagbe Asuen, Chairman of the EFC, emphasised the importance of the moment:
“Celebrating the International Day of Forests calls for a fresh commitment to protect and sustainably manage our forests. These are some of the most vital natural resources entrusted to us; they provide clean air, regulate our climate, protect biodiversity, and support the livelihoods of millions. We see Propcom+ as partners in progress working together to achieve a lot that will be beneficial to our communities and the people of Edo State.”
Mr Habibullahi Ibrahim (Propcom+) presenting the Okomu Forest Management Plan to the Chairman of the Edo State Forestry Commission
The newly launched Okomu Forest Management Plan establishes a framework that strengthens forest protection, improves inventories, sets clear yield and harvesting standards, and guides conservation, silviculture, monitoring, and enforcement. It ultimately translates policy into annual operational programmes that create a more predictable and accountable environment for private investors, conservation partners, and forest‑dependent communities. It further introduces clearer rules, better monitoring, stronger incentives for sustainable forest use, and deeper sector collaboration, signalling meaningful progress and laying the groundwork for scalable, investable forest management systems across other reserves.
In her keynote presentation on “Deforestation and Its Economic Consequences”, Professor Esohe Oboho of the University of Benin highlighted:
“The scale of forest loss in Nigeria is not just an environmental crisis; it is an economic emergency. Each hectare lost weakens the livelihood base of countless communities. What remains must be managed with precision and responsibility through a well‑designed forest management plan”.
Her presentation reinforces the truth that deforestation not only accelerates climate change but also undermines local economies and increases vulnerability amongst forest‑dependent households.
The Conservator of Okomu National Park, Mr. Lawrence Eghosa Osaze, reminded participants of the human dimension:
“We must not be ungrateful to the forests that have saved us. Our forests are integral to sustaining our health, our heritage, and our legacy. They serve as a source of food, employment, and livelihood, thereby improving the economy of our communities.”
Goodwill messages from park rangers, community leaders, and academics underscored a shared resolve: not only to fight deforestation but to promote afforestation as insurance for the future.
The event closed with a symbolic yet powerful gesture: a tree-planting exercise, representing a renewed commitment to regeneration and environmental stewardship.
The launch of the Okomu Forest Management Plan marks a new chapter for the Edo State Forestry Commission and a promising signal for Nigeria’s wider pursuit of sustainable land use. With the right partnerships, data‑driven policies, and community engagement, the country can shift from forest loss to forest renewal.
As the saying goes, “Once the last tree falls, the last person dies.” With interventions like this, supported by partners such as Propcom+, Edo State is choosing a different path – one where forests, communities, and economies thrive together.
