The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, has urged charcoal merchants and other stakeholders in the forestry sector to adopt sustainable practices and support the Federal Government's efforts to combat deforestation. He made this call at the flag-off of the 2026 Operation One Million Trees Tree Planting Programme, organised by the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants, held at the University of Ibadan.
Lawal, represented by Dr Osakwe Igbinosa, emphasised that tree planting is a practical measure for combating climate change, reversing deforestation, restoring biodiversity, controlling desertification, and strengthening the resilience of Nigeria's ecosystems. He noted that Nigeria's forests provide critical environmental, social, and economic benefits, including biodiversity conservation, regulation of water resources, and livelihoods for millions of Nigerians.
The Minister highlighted several initiatives of the Federal Ministry of Environment, including the Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Programme, National Greening of Cities and Urban Areas for Climate Change Mitigation, agroforestry initiatives, protection of erosion-prone areas and marginal lands, as well as stakeholder and community engagement programmes. He also stressed that the success of afforestation should not be measured merely by the number of seedlings planted but by the number that survive and mature into healthy forests.
The Chairman of the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants, Mr Adeshola Idowu, advocated for a practice of planting several trees for every tree cut down, stressing that trees remain indispensable to human existence. He also identified technology as a critical component of modern forest protection, pointing to the potential use of drones to plant seedlings in difficult-to-reach areas.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ademola Aderinto, commended the state Governor, Seyi Makinde, for his environmental policies that encourage afforestation as a potent way of fighting climate change. He assured that tree cutting was discouraged in the state and offenders were penalised. The Chief Strategy Officer of FOJ Multidynamic Interchange Nigeria Limited, Florence Omolola, said the event was part of a broader effort to ensure that the charcoal business operates sustainably and in compliance with environmental regulations.
The programme, which brought together forestry practitioners, charcoal merchants, environmentalists, students, regulators, and other stakeholders, aims to promote afforestation and encourage responsible management of Nigeria's forest resources. The following phase will involve on-site verification of the afforestation activities, with environmentalists, journalists, regulators, non-governmental organisations, international organisations, auditors, and other independent stakeholders expected to participate.
Key points
- The Nigerian government has launched the 2026 Operation One Million Trees Tree Planting Programme to promote afforestation and combat deforestation.
- The programme aims to encourage charcoal merchants and other stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices and support the government's efforts to restore Nigeria's degraded forest landscapes.
- The success of afforestation will be measured by the number of seedlings that survive and mature into healthy forests, not just the number of seedlings planted.
