FG URGES CHARCOAL TRADERS TO ADOPT SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES

The Federal Government has urged charcoal merchants and other forestry stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices to help reduce deforestation and restore degraded forests across Nigeria.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, gave the charge on Wednesday at the launch of the 2026 Operation One Million Trees programme at the University of Ibadan.

Lawal, represented by Dr Osakwe Igbinosa, said deforestation posed environmental and economic challenges, while tree planting could help combat climate change, restore biodiversity and control desertification.

He said the ministry was implementing several programmes, including the National Afforestation Programme, the Sovereign Green Bond Afforestation Programme and the National Greening of Cities and Urban Areas initiative.

The minister urged charcoal businesses to comply with forestry laws and environmental regulations while supporting efforts to increase Nigeria’s forest cover.

He stressed that the success of tree-planting programmes should not be measured only by the number of seedlings planted but by their survival and growth into healthy trees.

Chairman of the Association for Forest Conservation and Green Industrial Charcoal Merchants, Adeshola Idowu, urged Nigerians to replace trees removed from the environment and plant more trees in their communities.

Organisers said technology, including drone seeding, would also be used to expand tree planting and support forest protection.

The initiative is intended to promote more sustainable charcoal production while encouraging greater participation in environmental conservation.