Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa urges stakeholders to stop deforestation during the 9th FFPS Conference
Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has renewed calls for urgent national action to halt deforestation, warning that unchecked forest loss threatens Nigeria’s economy and environmental sustainability.
The governor made the call at the 9th Biennial Conference of the Forests and Forest Products Society (FFPS), held at Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, on Thursday. The conference, themed “Healthy and Resilient Forests for a Buoyant Nigerian Economy,” brought together environmental experts, policymakers, and academics to discuss sustainable forest management strategies.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Chief Segun Odusanya, emphasized that forests remain central to the state’s economy and ecological balance. He pledged that his administration would intensify efforts to curb illegal logging and promote sustainable forest restoration.
“The EU deforestation-free programme has been an eye-opener for Ondo State. We will spare no effort in complying with international forest management regulations. Our administration will do everything possible to stop deforestation,” the governor declared.
He explained that Ondo State is already exploring measures to revive degraded forest reserves through reforestation and policy reforms that align with global best practices.
Speaking at the event, Professor Timo Tokola, a specialist in Forest Information Systems from the University of Eastern Finland, urged Nigeria to adopt digital monitoring tools and data-driven forest management to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector.
“Nigeria must shift from mere resource extraction to sustainable forest management,” Tokola said. “Continuous forest inventory, digital transparency, and private sector-led initiatives under clear government policies are key to achieving long-term forest health.”
About the Author
