Nigeria urges charcoal merchants to adopt sustainable forestry

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abass Lawal, has called on charcoal merchants and forestry stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices to combat deforestation and restore degraded landscapes. Speaking at the launch of the 2026 Operation One Million Trees programme at the University of Ibadan, the Minister emphasized that tree planting is essential for addressing climate change, biodiversity loss, and desertification.

Lawal, represented by Dr. Osakwe Igbinosa, noted that the success of afforestation efforts should be measured by the survival and growth of trees rather than just the number of seedlings planted. The initiative aligns with several federal efforts, including the 2026 National Afforestation Programme and the Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Programme. These measures follow an executive order banning the export of wood and charcoal to ensure more sustainable management of the nation’s forest resources.