By Sandra Kenneth
The Federal Government has called on charcoal merchants, forestry operators, and agricultural stakeholders across the country to adopt sustainable practices to curb deforestation and restore Nigeria’s degraded forest cover.
The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the charge on Wednesday during the flag-off of the 2026 ‘Operation One Million Trees’ programme at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan. The initiative was organized by the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants in partnership with environmental organizations.
Represented by Dr. Osakwe Igbinosa, the Minister warned that unchecked deforestation poses a direct threat to Nigeria’s economic development and ecological stability.
“Tree planting is not just about putting seedlings into the soil. The real measure of success is their survival and growth into healthy forests,” Lawal stated, emphasizing that the project aligns with broader government initiatives such as the National Afforestation Programme and the Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Project.
Drone Technology, Stricter Planting Ratios Proposed
Addressing the gathering, the Chairman of the association, Adeshola Idowu, advocated for modern technological interventions, including drone seeding, to reach difficult terrain and accelerate reforestation efforts. He urged charcoal operators to replace every felled tree with multiple seedlings.
Echoing these concerns, the Oyo State Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Ademola Aderinto, warned of impending global climate and waste management crises over the next two decades if indiscriminate tree felling for urban development continues unabated.
“If you cut down one tree for any legitimate purpose, plant back more. It is no longer one for one—you cut down one, plant two, three, or four back,” Aderinto urged, calling on property developers to integrate existing trees into building designs rather than clearing them completely.
Drive for Sustainable Charcoal Production
The three-day initiative includes youth engagement, tree-planting exercises, and an independent verification framework involving environmentalists, media practitioners, and regulatory bodies to ensure long-term monitoring.
Chief Strategy Officer of FOJ Multidynamic Interchange Nigeria Limited, Florence Omolola, noted that independent verification will guarantee transparency and ensure the initiative achieves its goal of transitioning Nigeria’s charcoal industry toward sustainable and environmentally responsible production.
