Five (5) Reasons for Deforestation in Nigeria: Key Causes and Impacts

Introduction

Deforestation in Nigeria remains a critical environmental crisis, with the country losing vast swathes of forest cover annually. According to recent data, Nigeria has shed over 17 million hectares of forest since 1990, at an alarming rate of 3.5% per year. In 2024 alone, 253,000 hectares were lost, contributing to massive carbon emissions and biodiversity decline. Understanding the reasons for deforestation in Nigeria is essential for addressing this issue, which exacerbates climate change, soil erosion, and food insecurity. This article explores the primary causes, drawing from expert analyses, to highlight why Nigeria's forests are vanishing and what can be done.

Five (5) Reasons for Deforestation in Nigeria: Key Causes and Impacts

1. Agricultural Expansion: The Leading DriverAgriculture is the backbone of Nigeria's economy, but its rapid growth is a top reason for deforestation. Smallholder farmers and commercial plantations clear forests for crops like palm oil, cocoa, and cassava, accounting for about 60% of tropical forest loss. Population pressures — Nigeria's populace exceeds 200 million — force communities to convert woodlands into farmland using slash-and-burn methods. This practice not only depletes forests but also degrades soil fertility over time, perpetuating a cycle of further clearing.2. Logging Activities: Legal and Illegal ExploitationLogging ranks high among causes of deforestation in Nigeria, driven by demand for timber domestically and internationally. Illegal logging, fueled by corruption and weak enforcement, accounts for significant tree felling in protected areas like the Akure-Ofosu reserve, where 44% of primary forest was lost in two decades. High-value species are targeted for export, while local needs for construction materials add to the strain. Without stricter regulations, this unsustainable harvesting continues to erode Nigeria's green cover.3. Fuelwood and Charcoal DependencyPoverty and high energy costs make fuelwood a primary cooking source for 60-90% of Nigerians, especially in rural areas. With kerosene often unaffordable, communities rely on charcoal and firewood, leading to widespread tree cutting. This driver is intertwined with economic hardship, as over 25 million face acute hunger, pushing people toward forest resources for survival. Urban migration exacerbates the issue, as displaced populations intensify resource extraction.4. Urbanization and Infrastructure DevelopmentRapid urbanization is another key reason for deforestation in Nigeria. Expanding cities, roads, railways, and industrial projects clear forests to accommodate growth. In areas like the Niger Delta, oil extraction and mining further degrade ecosystems. Infrastructure demands, coupled with uncoordinated land policies, result in habitat fragmentation and biodiversity loss.5. Forest Fires and Climate FactorsBush burning for farming and natural fires, often sparked by lightning, contribute to deforestation. Climate change intensifies these events, with drier conditions making forests more vulnerable. In 2022, fires in reserves like Akure-Ofosu burned thousands of hectares, driven by agricultural practices.
The impacts of these causes are profound: increased malaria risks from habitat changes, disrupted water cycles, and accelerated global warming. To combat deforestation in Nigeria, solutions include enforcing anti-logging laws, promoting sustainable agriculture, and community-led afforestation like the NISCOPS program. By addressing root causes like poverty through incentives and education, Nigeria can preserve its vital forests for future generations.