Environment minister urges charcoal traders to support forest restoration

Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal has urged charcoal merchants and other forestry stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices and support efforts to reverse deforestation in Nigeria. Lawal spoke on Wednesday at the launch of the 2026 Operation One Million Trees programme in Ibadan. The event was organised by the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants at the University of Ibadan’s Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources.

Represented by Dr Osakwe Igbinosa, the minister described tree planting as a practical response to climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss and desertification. He said Nigeria’s forests provide environmental, social and economic benefits, including water-resource regulation, biodiversity conservation and livelihoods for millions of people. Lawal said the Federal Ministry of Environment remained committed to sustainable forest management through programmes aimed at restoring degraded land, increasing forest cover and strengthening climate resilience.

He urged stakeholders to comply with environmental laws, regulations and government policies. The minister said the ministry had launched the 2026 National Afforestation Programme on June 8 as part of the implementation of the Federal Government’s Executive Order banning the export of wood and charcoal. Other initiatives include the Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Programme, urban greening, agroforestry and the protection of erosion-prone areas.

He warned that the effectiveness of afforestation should not be judged only by the number of seedlings planted. “The real measure of success is their survival and growth into healthy forests,” he said. Association chairman Adeshola Idowu said people should replace trees removed from the environment and plant trees around homes and communities.

He also pointed to drones as a possible way to plant seedlings in areas that are difficult or dangerous for people to reach. Oyo State Commissioner for Environment Ademola Aderinto said tree cutting was discouraged in the state and offenders were penalised. Organisers said the next stage of the programme would include on-site verification involving environmentalists, regulators, journalists, auditors and other independent stakeholders.

Florence Omolola of FOJ Multidynamic Interchange Nigeria Limited said the verification was intended to provide physical evidence of planting and improve transparency. She called for continued government support for sustainable forestry.