Biodiversity Preservation Center Raises Alarm Over Forest Threats, Calls for Urgent Action
The Biodiversity Preservation Center (BPC) has issued a stark warning, calling for immediate and coordinated action to safeguard Nigeria's forests. The organization emphasizes that ongoing environmental degradation poses grave risks to food security, livelihoods, and climate stability across the nation.
Critical Role of Forests Highlighted on International Day
In a press statement released to commemorate the International Day of Forests 2026, BPC underscored this year's theme, "Forests and Food," which highlights the essential role forests play in sustaining food systems and supporting millions of households. The statement was delivered by Prof. Edem Eniang, Executive Director of the center.
Prof. Eniang noted that forests in Akwa Ibom State and throughout Nigeria serve as vital life-support systems. They provide crucial ecosystem services such as:
- Soil fertility enhancement
- Water regulation
- Climate moderation
- Biodiversity conservation
Additionally, forests supply food, medicine, fuelwood, and income to rural communities, making them indispensable for local economies and well-being.
Severe Threats to Forest Ecosystems
Prof. Eniang warned that Nigeria's forests are facing intense pressures from multiple sources, including:
- Illegal logging activities
- Unregulated agricultural expansion
- Rapid urbanization
- Oil exploration operations
- Unsustainable harvesting practices
These threats have led to widespread deforestation, loss of wildlife habitats, increased flooding events, declining agricultural productivity, and heightened impacts of climate change. BPC expressed particular concern over the Stubbs Creek Forest Reserve, urging authorities to reconsider infrastructure projects like the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to prevent damage to critical ecosystems. The organization also cited the destruction of the Ogunpa Forest Reserve as a cautionary example of environmentally harmful development.
Link Between Forests and Food Security
BPC stressed the direct connection between forest health and food security, noting that forest ecosystems provide essential products such as fruits, nuts, honey, and bushmeat. They also support pollination processes and maintain soil health. The group warned that continued forest degradation could exacerbate poverty and malnutrition as communities lose access to these vital resources.
Call to Action and Recommendations
To address these challenges, Prof. Eniang called on the Akwa Ibom State Government, federal authorities, private sector entities, civil society groups, and local communities to take decisive steps toward forest conservation. Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening forest governance frameworks
- Establishing an Ibom National Park
- Promoting community-based forest management initiatives
- Investing in large-scale reforestation programs
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods through agroforestry and ecotourism
The center also urged authorities to integrate environmental safeguards into development planning and to scale up public awareness campaigns on conservation through education and media engagement.
BPC's Commitment and Future Outlook
BPC reaffirmed its dedication to advancing forest conservation through research, advocacy, community engagement, and the use of geospatial technology for environmental monitoring. In the statement, Prof. Eniang declared, "BPC Nigeria remains committed to advancing forest conservation through research, community engagement, advocacy, and the use of innovative tools such as geospatial technology for monitoring environmental change. We will continue to collaborate with government agencies and other committed stakeholders to promote evidence-based policies and sustainable practices."
He added, "The future of Nigeria's forests is inseparable from the future of its people. Protecting forests means protecting food systems, preserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and securing livelihoods for present and future generations. As we mark the International Day of Forests 2026, BPC Nigeria urges all stakeholders to act decisively. The time to protect our forests is now."
The organization's message is clear: immediate action is essential to preserve Nigeria's natural heritage and ensure a sustainable future for all.
