Deforestation in Nigeria: Causes, Effects, & Urgent Solutions for 2025

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Nigeria has lost over 1.4 million hectares of forest since 2001. That is more than 12% of its total tree cover gone in just two decades. But this crisis is not only about losing trees.

Deforestation threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity in ways that are quietly devastating. Entire ecosystems are breaking down, pushing animals and plants toward extinction. From the endangered Cross River gorilla to Nigeria’s rare medicinal plants, forests are disappearing, and with them, livelihoods and food security for millions of people.

This article examines what makes Nigeria’s biodiversity valuable, how deforestation is harming it, and what can still be done to mitigate the damage.

Overview of Nigeria’s Biodiversity

Nigeria is one of Africa’s most biodiverse countries. Its forests, savannas, and wetlands are home to thousands of species, many of which exist nowhere else on Earth.

Some unique species include the white-throated guenon, red-capped mangabey, Nigerian pygmy shrew, African forest buffalo, long-tailed pangolin, and Anambra waxbill.

These animals rely on forests to feed, breed, and migrate. Beyond wildlife, Nigeria’s forests shelter rare medicinal plants that local communities depend on for traditional healthcare.

As forests are cleared for farms, firewood, and development, this biodiversity is quietly disappearing.

How Deforestation Threatens Nigeria’s Biodiversity

Deforestation threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity by destroying the habitats that plants and animals need to survive.

When trees are cut down for farming, logging, or development, the natural homes of many species vanish. This is the leading cause of biodiversity loss in Nigeria today.

As forests shrink, animals lose feeding and breeding grounds. Many medicinal plants are going extinct as their ecosystems collapse. Rivers dry up, soils erode, and communities face worsening food and water insecurity.

The result is clear: habitat destruction is pushing Nigeria’s wildlife and plant life toward extinction. Without extensive, connected forests, biodiversity cannot survive.

Key Drivers Behind Deforestation Threatening Nigeria’s Biodiversity

Deforestation in Nigeria is driven by a mix of pressures that combine to accelerate biodiversity loss.

Farming and Agricultural Expansion

Forests are cleared for crops such as cocoa, cassava, and palm oil. Even protected areas like Omo Forest Reserve and Cross River National Park face encroachment from smallholder farms.

Illegal Logging and Charcoal Production

Charcoal and firewood remain the primary cooking fuels for most Nigerian households. This demand drives widespread tree cutting. Weak monitoring systems allow illegal logging to thrive.

Urbanisation and Infrastructure Development

Nigeria’s expanding cities, such as Lagos and Abuja, are consuming surrounding forests. Roads, housing, and industrial projects directly destroy wildlife habitats.

Weak Governance and Poor Enforcement

Although forestry laws exist, they are rarely enforced. Corruption, underfunding, and a lack of political will allow illegal farming and logging to continue unchecked.

Case Study: Omo Forest and the Biodiversity Crisis

The Omo Forest Reserve in Ogun State, a significant biodiversity hotspot, is under severe threat. Reports show that over 100 illegal cocoa farming settlements now exist within the reserve. Farmers are clearing forests to grow cocoa for global markets.

Satellite data confirms more than 2,000 deforestation alerts in the Omo region last year alone. This destruction is erasing habitats for rare wildlife and medicinal plants, while unchecked logging makes matters worse.

Omo Forest is a clear example of how deforestation threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity today. Without enforcement and community support, such forests may not survive.

Nigeria’s Current Response To Stop Deforestation Threatening Its Biodiversity

Nigeria has launched several initiatives to counter the rapid deforestation that threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity. 

Here are some government actions:

1. Green Bonds And Tree-Planting Campaigns

The Ministry of Environment is issuing new sovereign green bonds worth ₦250 billion to fund clean energy and climate change projects.  It also launched a nationwide tree-planting drive, targeting the planting of over 20 million trees as part of the Great Green Wall and regional afforestation schemes. 

2. REDD+ And Agroforestry Projects

Nigeria has been part of REDD+ since 2009, with demo programs in Cross River State. These evolved into broader community-based REDD+ efforts launched in 2021. Additionally, the Ministry has started agroforestry programmes to restore degraded lands.

3. Nigerian Forest Security Service–NFSS

Established in 2021, the NFSS utilises local hunters and rangers to patrol forests and prevent illegal logging. It expanded nationally in 2024 but is still awaiting full legal approval to operate as a federal agency.

It is currently active in several states, particularly where deforestation threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity, but is limited by a lack of funding and formal powers, despite being Nigeria’s main on-the-ground forest patrol force.

 

What Must Change to Protect Nigeria’s Biodiversity from Deforestation

Stopping deforestation requires urgent and coordinated action.

• Stronger enforcement of forestry laws to tackle illegal farming and logging.

• Supporting communities with sustainable farming and energy alternatives.

• Adequately funding and managing protected areas.

• Expanding awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of biodiversity.

If these steps are not taken, deforestation will continue to destroy Nigeria’s biodiversity and drive more species toward extinction.

Explore more on Biodiversity;

• Cross River Forest Under Threat: Hidden Costs of Eco-Tourism [2025]
• Songs of the Wild: How Nigeria’s Folklore Celebrates Biodiversity
• Conservation in Nigeria: Protecting Nature, & a Greener Future

Conclusion on How Deforestation Threatens Nigeria’s Biodiversity

Deforestation threatens Nigeria’s biodiversity by erasing the forests that life depends on. Without urgent action, biodiversity loss will continue to accelerate.

Protecting forests through stronger enforcement, community empowerment, and sustainable alternatives is the only way forward. Nigeria’s forests are running out of time. Protect them now, before it is too late.

Frequently Asked Questions on How Deforestation Threatens Nigeria’s Biodiversity

What are the effects of deforestation in Nigeria?

Deforestation leads to habitat loss, extinction of rare species, reduced access to medicinal plants, and worsens climate impacts such as droughts and floods. Communities also suffer from soil erosion and water shortages.

What are the causes of deforestation in Nigeria?

The main causes are agricultural expansion, illegal logging, charcoal production, and urban development. Poverty and weak law enforcement allow these activities to persist.

How does deforestation affect wildlife in Nigeria?

Deforestation destroys habitats for species such as the white-throated guenon and African forest buffalo. As forests vanish, wildlife loses feeding and breeding grounds, pushing many species to extinction.

Why is Nigeria’s biodiversity important?

Nigeria’s biodiversity supports food production, traditional medicine, and water security. Healthy ecosystems regulate climate, prevent floods, and sustain communities that depend on them.