The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal, has charged charcoal merchants and other stakeholders in the forestry sector to embrace sustainable practices and support the Federal Government’s efforts to reverse deforestation and restore Nigeria’s degraded forest landscapes.
The Minister gave the charge 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 at the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan.
The programme, which brought together forestry practitioners, charcoal merchants, environmentalists, students, regulators and other stakeholders, is aimed at promoting afforestation and encouraging responsible management of Nigeria’s forest resources.
Speaking at the event, the Minister described tree planting as one of the most practical measures for combating climate change, reversing deforestation, restoring biodiversity, controlling desertification and strengthening the resilience of the nation’s ecosystems.
He said Nigeria’s forests provide critical environmental, social and economic benefits, including biodiversity conservation, regulation of water resources and livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, stressing that their protection must therefore remain a collective responsibility.
The Minister said the Federal Ministry of Environment remained committed to sustainable forest management through programmes designed to restore degraded forests, increase forest cover and promote climate resilience across the country.
He noted that the Ministry had, on June 8, 2026, flagged off the 2026 National Afforestation Programme as part of the implementation of the Federal Government’s Executive Order on the ban on the export of wood and charcoal.
According to him, the national programme underscores government’s commitment to restoring degraded forests, increasing Nigeria’s forest cover and ensuring sustainable management of forest resources.
He also highlighted several other initiatives of the Ministry, 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.
The Minister who was represented by Dr Osakwe Igbinosa, said the Operation One Million Trees initiative complemented government’s broader environmental agenda, urging stakeholders to ensure that forestry activities were carried out in line with existing laws, environmental regulations and government policies.
He further 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.
“Tree planting is not just about putting seedlings into the soil. The real measure of success is their survival and growth into healthy forests,” the Minister said.
For the Chairman of the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants, Mr Adeshola Adebowale Idowu, the event carried a clear message for everyone involved in the charcoal business and, indeed, every Nigerian.
Idowu said stakeholders should develop the habit of replacing trees removed from the environment, encouraging Nigerians to plant trees around their homes and communities.
He advocated a practice of planting several trees for every tree cut down, stressing that trees remain indispensable to human existence because many products used by society are derived from them.
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.
According to him, the use of technology could significantly accelerate afforestation efforts because drones could reach areas that might be difficult or dangerous for human beings to access.
The Oyo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Ademola Aderinto, commended the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde and praised his environmental polices that encourages afforestation as a potent way of fighting climate change.
He assured that treas cutting is discouraged in the state and offenders are penalised.
Also speaking, the Chief Strategic 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.
Omolola said the ceremonial flag-off represented the beginning of an initiative designed to encourage charcoal merchants to play their part in combating deforestation and environmental degradation.
She explained that the three-day programme had been structured around sensitisation, youth engagement, tree planting and verification of the afforestation claims being made by participants.
According to her, the first day featured a youth festival and inter-departmental competitions involving students of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan.
She said the youth-focused activities were designed to expose students to the importance of environmental protection and technology-driven solutions while making them active participants in safeguarding the country’s natural resources.
She added that the awards and recognition for winners of the competitions formed part of the activities surrounding the programme.
Omolola said the following phase would 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.
She explained that the verification process was intended to provide physical evidence of the trees planted and strengthen transparency around the programme.
She also acknowledged the support of the Federal Ministry of Environment, saying the Minister had deployed a five-member delegation to support the programme and ensure that its activities complied with established regulations.
She appealed for continued government support for sustainable forestry initiatives, stressing that collective efforts were necessary to achieve meaningful environmental restoration.
“Operation One Million Trees is just the beginning,” she said, expressing optimism that the initiative would expand beyond its present target in subsequent years.
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