Rewild Africa Urges Nigeria to Adopt Inclusive Conservation Strategy to Protect Forests, Wildlife

Rewild Africa has called on the Federal Government to adopt a coordinated and community-focused conservation strategy to tackle deforestation, protect endangered wildlife and create sustainable economic opportunities for Nigerians living in forest-dependent communities.

The organisation stressed the need to strengthen environmental policies, address weaknesses in the country’s conservation system and attract investment into the biosphere economy to ensure that communities can earn sustainable livelihoods while protecting forests and wildlife.

Nigeria’s forests and wildlife habitats, spanning states such as Cross River, Taraba, Kogi, Bayelsa, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Borno and Zamfara, face increasing threats from illegal logging, agricultural expansion, urbanisation and other human activities. These pressures continue to threaten biodiversity, disrupt local livelihoods and worsen the effects of climate change.

## Rewild Africa Raises Concern Over Nigeria’s Deforestation Crisis

The call was made during an appearance on *Villa Square*, a segment of *Cre8tive 9Ja*, a weekly tourism and culture magazine programme hosted by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke and Bunmi Bade-Adeniji on Mainland 98.3 FM, Lagos.

Speaking during the programme, James Arnott, co-founder of Rewild Africa, and Clement Umina of Rewilding Nigeria discussed the challenges affecting forest conservation in the country. They called for stronger government involvement and a conservation framework that recognises local communities as essential partners in protecting natural resources.

Umina described the rate of deforestation in Nigeria as alarming, warning that the country’s remaining forests require urgent protection and sustainable management.

He pointed to Cross River State as an example of the significant opportunities available through better management of forest resources. According to him, the state’s forests hold considerable potential that remains largely underutilised.

“The forest of Cross River State will surprise you because the state government is yet to tap into the potential of the forests in the state,” Umina said, stressing the need for immediate action to prevent further environmental damage.

He also expressed concern about weaknesses in Nigeria’s broader conservation system, noting that limited public awareness, accountability challenges and inadequate oversight could affect the success of conservation initiatives.

## Forest Loss Threatens Wildlife and Local Livelihoods

Nigeria’s remaining natural forests continue to face pressure from human activities, including logging, farming, settlement expansion and resource extraction. The destruction of forest habitats threatens wildlife populations, weakens ecosystem stability and affects communities that depend on forests for their livelihoods.

The country’s conservation network includes national parks such as Cross River National Park, Gashaka-Gumti National Park, Kainji Lake National Park and Okomu National Park, alongside forest reserves and wildlife sanctuaries.

Despite these protected areas, habitat destruction and poaching remain significant challenges for biodiversity conservation.

African elephants continue to face threats from poaching and the loss of their natural habitats, while Nigeria’s remaining wild lion population is extremely small. These challenges highlight the importance of stronger enforcement, improved environmental management and long-term conservation planning.

## Rewild Africa Promotes Ecosystem Restoration

Rewild Africa is advocating rewilding as a way to restore damaged ecosystems and support the recovery of wildlife and natural habitats.

Unlike conservation approaches that concentrate primarily on managing individual species or protecting specific areas, rewilding focuses on restoring ecological relationships and allowing natural processes to help ecosystems recover.

Depending on local conditions, this approach may involve reintroducing important species, improving wildlife movement between habitats and allowing degraded landscapes to regenerate naturally.

Arnott explained that the African rewilding model was developed to strengthen conservation across the continent through cooperation, partnerships and shared experiences.

He said the initiative draws lessons from countries such as Kenya, Namibia and South Africa, with the aim of developing an approach that can be adapted to Nigeria’s environmental conditions and economic realities.

According to Arnott, limited environmental awareness and a lack of alternative income sources have contributed to forest destruction in some communities. In such situations, cutting down trees may be seen as one of the few available ways for residents to earn money.

He said Rewild Africa hopes to change this situation by creating economic opportunities that encourage communities to protect forests and wildlife rather than engage in activities that degrade them.

“With our model, community members will become conservationists and have the exclusive right to earn a decent income from watching and protecting the wildlife and forest,” Arnott said.

The proposed model seeks to give local residents a direct role in conservation by allowing them to participate in protecting natural resources while benefiting economically from their sustainable management.

## Organisation Calls for Stronger Government Policies

Umina identified inadequate government policies as one of the major obstacles to effective conservation in Nigeria.

He argued that the absence of a coordinated strategy continues to expose forests and wildlife to exploitation, making it difficult to achieve lasting environmental protection.

“When we lack a strategic government policy that can impact and reposition the Nigerian conservation ecosystem for economic prosperity, the forest and wildlife will continue to suffer in silence,” he said.

Umina called for greater public participation in conservation, particularly among communities living close to forests and other natural habitats.

He also raised concerns about extractive activities, including mining, emphasising the importance of balancing economic development with environmental protection and the welfare of host communities.

His position highlights the need for stronger regulatory oversight, improved accountability and policies that prevent commercial activities from causing excessive damage to biodiversity and community livelihoods.

## Rewild Africa Seeks Sustainable Conservation Funding

Arnott also called for changes to the way conservation initiatives are funded, arguing that greater attention should be given to long-term environmental outcomes rather than short-term project objectives.

He advocated increased private-sector participation and more sustainable financing arrangements to support conservation programmes over time.

According to him, an effective conservation framework should bring together government action, private investment, community involvement and long-term planning.

The approach reflects growing recognition that environmental protection alone may not be enough to achieve lasting conservation results. Communities also need economic incentives, while institutions require adequate funding, effective policies and accountability mechanisms.

By linking ecosystem restoration with sustainable livelihoods, Rewild Africa hopes to encourage communities to see forests and wildlife as valuable natural assets that can support long-term economic development.

The organisation’s call underscores the need for Nigeria to move beyond fragmented conservation efforts towards a coordinated strategy that protects biodiversity, strengthens environmental governance and ensures that local communities play an active role in managing and benefiting from the country’s natural heritage.