The Federal Government has restated its commitment to safeguarding land rights and advancing forest conservation as part of its broader climate and environmental action agenda.
Minister of Environment, Hon. Balarabe Abbas Lawal, gave the assurance, emphasizing that protecting land tenure and restoring forest cover remain central to Nigeria’s climate resilience strategy.
The Minister said the government recognizes the link between secure land rights, sustainable forest management, and community livelihoods, and will continue to pursue policies that balance environmental protection with economic development.
Lawal’s statement comes amid growing calls for stronger action to curb deforestation, land degradation and conflicts over land use across the country. Environmental stakeholders have urged the Ministry to accelerate the implementation of forest protection programs and ensure local communities benefit from conservation efforts.
The Federal Government has, in recent years, signed several agreements aimed at reducing deforestation and promoting reforestation, as Nigeria seeks to meet its climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
