Nigeria has launched a new partnership to combat its alarming deforestation rates and promote sustainable development. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Natural Eco Capital, and Business for Nature have joined forces to address the country’s rapid forest loss, with only about 4 % of its original forest cover remaining. The partnership was announced at the Business Advisory Group Inauguration Workshop in Abuja, where Chris Aiwuyo, Deputy Director of Forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment, emphasized the importance of collaboration to achieve a nature‑positive future. “Partnerships like this are vital to ensuring that the Nigerian private sector, civil society, and government move in the same direction to align investment and innovation with our biodiversity and climate goals,” he said.
According to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Nigeria loses approximately 400,000 hectares of forest each year due to logging, agriculture and urban expansion. Between 2000 and 2020, the nation’s tree cover declined by 13 %, making it one of the African countries with the fastest rates of deforestation. Joseph Onoja, Director‑General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, noted that the partnership creates a unique platform to engage the private sector in restoring ecosystems, creating green jobs and safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage.
The initiative aims to build awareness and capacity for nature‑positive action across key sectors, helping businesses integrate climate and biodiversity considerations into their operations. Eugene Itua, CEO of Natural Eco Capital, stressed that protecting nature is smart economics, not philanthropy. By linking biodiversity targets with business strategy and national development priorities, the partnership will enable companies to understand, measure and manage their dependencies, impacts, risks and opportunities related to nature.
Oluwasooto Ajayi, African Lead for Business for Nature, explained that the collaboration will accelerate progress for nature in Nigeria by connecting private‑sector leadership with national biodiversity and climate priorities. The effort will contribute to Sustainable Development Goals 13 (Climate Action) and 15 (Life on Land), advancing Nigeria toward a resilient, sustainable economy. The urgent need for businesses to integrate biodiversity into decision‑making and contribute to restoration efforts cannot be overstated. With Nigeria’s forests under significant threat, this partnership highlights the importance of collective action to protect the country’s natural resources and promote sustainable development. As it moves forward, the alliance is expected to play a crucial role in addressing Nigeria’s deforestation crisis and fostering a nature‑positive future.
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