Policy Direction for Afforestation, Reforestation and Sustainable Forest Management

Policy Direction for Afforestation, Reforestation and Sustainable Forest Management Policy Overview

What Is This Policy?

A national policy directing government agencies, states, and communities to systematically restore forest cover, prevent further deforestation, and manage existing forests sustainably to address climate change, desertification, and ecosystem degradation.

Who Does It Target?

Federal and state forest agencies Farming communities and smallholder farmers in forest fringe areas Private sector companies in timber, agriculture, and bioenergy Local government areas in desertification-prone and rainforest zones

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Restore 4 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by 2030 (in line with Bonn Challenge commitments) Reduce Nigeria's deforestation rate (currently 3.7% annually, among the highest globally) Sequester carbon and contribute to Nigeria's NDC targets under the Paris Agreement Improve livelihoods of forest-dependent communities through sustainable forestry

Key Features

Current Status

Funding: Federal and state government budgets; Green Climate Fund; World Bank; bilateral climate finance

How to Access

State governments and communities apply to the Forestry Department of the Federal Ministry of Environment for reforestation grants. Requirements: State or community ownership/authority over target land Land use plan or reforestation proposal required Commitment to no-deforestation agreement for at least 10 years Application method: Apply through the Federal Ministry of Environment, Department of Forestry

Important Terms

Beneficiaries of reforestation grants must maintain planted forests for minimum 10 years Carbon credits from reforestation projects shared between government and landowners Illegal logging in community forests attracts criminal prosecution

Impact & Metrics

Nigeria loses approximately 350,000–400,000 hectares of forest annually; the policy targets a net zero deforestation rate by 2030.

Official Resources

Website: www.environment.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Environment — [email protected] Federal Republic of Nigeria — Policy Summary Document | March 2026

Legal Framework

The Policy Direction for Afforestation and Sustainable Forest Management operates under the Forestry Act, the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act 2007, and the Climate Change Act 2021. It aligns with the National Environmental Policy, the Desertification Control and Drought Mitigation Programme, and Nigeria's Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement. The Great Green Wall Initiative and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) provide the international framework.