The Federal Government has backed the proposed National Forest Association of Nigeria, saying it will promote coordination, investment and sustainable development in the forest sector.
Assistant Director, Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Felicia Udeh, stated this at a national stakeholders’ meeting on the draft constitution of the proposed association.
Udeh said the initiative was an important step towards building a stronger and more sustainable forest sector.
She cited World Bank data showing that Nigeria’s forests covered 23.2 per cent of the country’s land area in 2023, compared with 25.7 per cent across sub-Saharan Africa.
She said declining forest cover, population growth and rising demand for forest resources were putting pressure on livelihoods, industry and environmental sustainability.
Udeh called for increased investment in forest restoration, plantation development and sustainable forest management.
She also urged greater investment in technology, research, infrastructure and value addition across the forest value chain.
According to her, the proposed association would provide a common platform for stakeholders to attract investment and address challenges affecting the sector.
She stressed that the association would complement existing product-based associations rather than compete with them.
Udeh said specialised associations would retain their mandates, while the new body would provide a broader platform for issues affecting the entire forest sector.
She said the ministry remained committed to promoting Nigerian commodities, strengthening value addition and creating an enabling environment for investment.
Udeh added that the forest sector could contribute significantly to industrialisation, job creation, economic diversification and export growth.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the ministry for its efforts to unite the various forest-related associations.
They said the proposed association would give the sector a stronger voice and improve collaboration among stakeholders.
The stakeholders also expressed optimism that a unified body would attract investment and accelerate the development of Nigeria’s forest value chain.
Udeh commended the committees responsible for drafting and reviewing the proposed constitution.
She urged stakeholders to support the process and ensure that the association becomes credible, inclusive and investment-driven.
She said the ultimate goal was to promote forest restoration, create jobs, attract investment and support Nigeria’s sustainable development.