Experts have identified Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and ecosystems as crucial to achieving global environmental health while supporting key sectors such as agriculture, water resources, health, tourism, and industrial development — all geared towards sustainable development and food security.
The experts, according to a statement issued on Sunday, spoke during the validation and inauguration of Multi-Stakeholder Platforms and the Biodiversity Needs Assessment Study on Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Use of the Lowland Forest Mosaic Landscape in Ogun and Edo states, held in Abeokuta.
The event was organised by the Nigeria National Park Service in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Global Environment Facility under the GEF-7 Project.
The programme launched the GEF-7 Biodiversity Project aimed at conserving Nigeria’s lowland forests and boosting local livelihoods.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Technical Adviser for the GEF-7 Project, Prof. Segun Oladoye, while presenting an overview of the initiative, noted that Nigeria’s biodiversity and ecosystems are crucial to global environmental health and support key sectors such as agriculture, water, health, tourism, and industrial development.
Oladoye stated that, according to the National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime in Nigeria, the country possesses some of the richest flora and fauna biodiversity in Africa.
He added that Nigeria’s diverse ecosystems — ranging from semi-arid savanna in the North to lowland rainforest across the Niger Delta region in the South — host over 864 bird species, 117 amphibian species, 203 reptile species, more than 775 fish species, 285 mammal species, and over 4,715 plant species.
However, he noted that many of these plant and animal species are threatened due to habitat loss, unsustainable practices, pollution, and climate change.
He disclosed that the GEF-7 Biodiversity Project “will focus on integrated planning, conservation, sustainable practices, and knowledge management to protect biodiversity and support communities.”
According to him, this will be achieved through the implementation of four key components: integrated landscape planning and management; biodiversity conservation and restoration; implementation of sustainable practices and livelihoods in connected productive areas; and knowledge management, monitoring, and evaluation.
“The programme focuses on maintaining biodiversity for food and agriculture, promoting the sustainable use, conservation, and restoration of marine, terrestrial, and freshwater ecosystems and their services through the adoption of targeted policies and practices,” he said.
Also speaking, the GEF-7 National Programme Coordinator, Mr Lawrence Osaze, said the gathering reflected a shared commitment to strengthening collaboration and ensuring inclusive participation in the sustainable management of biodiversity resources.
Osaze noted that the validation process provided an opportunity to review and refine strategies, ensuring they are practical, relevant, and aligned with national priorities and community needs.
He added that the multi-stakeholder platform was inaugurated to drive dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and collective action among government, communities, civil society, and the private sector.
“Through this platform, we aim to promote transparency, enhance ownership, and foster partnerships that will drive effective implementation and long-term sustainability of project outcomes.
“It is also to encourage all stakeholders to actively participate, share their expertise, and work together towards the common goal of conserving biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods,” he stated.
Presenting a paper titled “Best Practices for Biodiversity-Friendly Production: The Significance of Sustainable Production Practices and Alternative Livelihoods,” a professor from the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Prof. Tayo Oyelowo, explained that biodiversity-friendly production refers to systems and practices that actively support, protect, and restore life at genetic, species, and ecosystem levels while producing goods such as food, fibre, and timber.
Oyelowo said these methods focus on harmonising production with natural systems rather than working against them.
He added that sustainable environmental practices would ensure environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, economic stability, and climate change mitigation and adaptation, among other benefits.
Also presenting a paper on “Practical Guide for Integrating Gender and Inclusion in MSPs,” Mrs Lydia Ameh said gender inclusion would improve sustainability and resilience, resource management, livelihoods, and community ownership, noting that women hold indigenous ecological knowledge.
Ameh stated that gender inclusion “is critical as it ensures fair distribution to all community members, improves decision-making quality and creativity, boosts commitment to development projects, and strengthens mutual trust and solidarity.”
Speaking on Integrated Land Management, Dr Ralph Adewoye said Ogun State can lead Nigeria in sustainable forest governance by adopting ILM, noting that ILM is a development strategy, not merely a conservation initiative.
Adewoye urged policymakers to take immediate action, including approving a unified landscape coordination framework, mandating data sharing, and integrating ILM into state development planning with a commitment to periodic review.
He explained that Ogun is among the states with significant remaining moist forest blocks, covering about 9–10 million hectares of Nigeria’s forest area, and called for a harmonised land use and land cover baseline.
In her goodwill message, the Ogun State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Motunrayo Adeleye, represented by the Director of Administration and Supply in the ministry, Mrs Olayemi Osilaja, stressed the need to enlighten women about the project.
“If you train the women, you are indirectly training the children,” she said.
She added, “It is a welcome initiative, and our ministry appreciates it, but monitoring is key to the success of this project.”
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