The Niger Delta region may be forced to abandon wood-based roofing within the next decade if deforestation continues at its current rate, according to Sunny Onuesoke, a former Delta State gubernatorial aspirant and environmental advocate. Onuesoke made this warning during an environmental sustainability engagement in Warri, where he highlighted the devastating impact of illegal logging, timber exportation, and land clearing on the region’s forests.

Nigeria loses between 350,000 and 400,000 hectares of forest every year, with a significant portion of this loss occurring in the Niger Delta, a region known for its rich biodiversity. At this rate, analysts predict that the country’s remaining natural forests could be severely degraded by 2035, making timber unaffordable for low and middle-income home builders. The consequences of inaction would be far-reaching, with families relying on timber for local construction, builders, and the ecosystem services that support fishing and farming all facing significant challenges.

Onuesoke attributed the growing timber scarcity to a combination of factors, including poor enforcement, weak environmental compliance, lack of reforestation programs, and the rising influence of black-market timber networks. To address this issue, he urged governments to take decisive action, including banning uncontrolled logging and exportation of unprocessed timber, enforcing mandatory replanting, and promoting alternative roofing materials and green-building incentives.

Onuesoke also appealed to builders, carpenters, and local timber unions to adopt sustainable sourcing and innovative practices that encourage regeneration rather than depletion. He emphasized the need for environmental preservation to become a collective commitment, transcending politics and involving governments, traditional institutions, investors, and community stakeholders.

The Niger Delta region is at a critical juncture, and the consequences of inaction would be severe. With the window for reversing the trend closing fast, Onuesoke reiterated that environmental sustainability is not just a moral imperative, but a survival strategy. The region’s future depends on the ability of its stakeholders to work together to protect its natural resources and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.