National Forestry Policy (NFP 2006)

A Policy establishes rules for the sustainable management and conservation of Nigeria's forest resources. It covers reserved forests, community plantations, and non-timber forest products. The goal is to reverse deforestation and support livelihoods dependent on forest resources.

What Is This Policy?

The National Forestry Policy (NFP) is Nigeria's comprehensive framework for the sustainable management, conservation, and development of the country's forest resources — covering reserved forests, community forests, private plantations, and non-timber forest products, with a focus on reversing deforestation and restoring Nigeria's forest cover.

Who Does It Target?

Forest communities and rural households dependent on forests for livelihood and subsistence State Forestry Departments managing gazetted forest reserves across 36 states Timber and non-timber forest product (NTFP) industry operators, loggers, and processors Conservation organisations, researchers, and biodiversity protection agencies Government institutions managing watershed protection and climate-sensitive forest zones

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reverse Nigeria's alarming deforestation rate (estimated at 350,000–400,000 hectares per year — one of the highest in Africa) Increase Nigeria's forest cover from approximately 4.8% of land area to at least 25% through massive reforestation and plantation programmes Protect biodiversity, watersheds, and climate-regulating functions of forests as natural infrastructure Develop community forestry and agroforestry as sustainable rural livelihoods reducing pressure on natural forests

Key Features

REDD+ Integration: Nigeria participates in the UN REDD+ Programme — enabling forest carbon credits and international climate finance for forest conservation Forest Reserve Management: Mandates sustainable management plans for all gazetted forest reserves — prohibiting clear-felling without approved reforestation plans Community Forestry: Promotes community-managed forests and joint forest management (JFM) giving local communities rights and responsibilities over nearby forests Plantation Development: Encourages large-scale industrial and community tree planting to supplement natural forest conservation Non-Timber Forest Products: Policy recognises NTFP value (honey, medicinal plants, game, gums) and provides for their sustainable management alongside timber Watershed Protection Zones: Designates critical watershed forests as protected zones — no-logging areas around major rivers and water catchment areas

Current Status

In force, having been established in 2006 as Nigeria's framework for forest management.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 20 on environmental protection); Land Use Act 1978; Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria Act; National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act; Convention on Biological Diversity