The Federal Government of Nigeria has issued a strong warning over the escalating environmental consequences of the charcoal trade, citing its detrimental impact on forest sustainability, biodiversity, and rural livelihoods. At a recent high-level stakeholders’ dialogue on charcoal production and forest conservation, held in Abuja, key government officials, environmental experts, and civil society groups discussed urgent reforms needed to address the growing ecological crisis.
Themed “Trade and Trees — Rethinking Charcoal Production and the Vanishing Forests,” the event was convened by the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC-NG) with support from EkoEnergy, a Europe-based renewable energy network.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Project Office (EPO) under the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, described the charcoal industry as a “silent threat” to Nigeria’s ecological integrity. While acknowledging that charcoal remains a critical energy source for over 70% of Nigerians, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas, she said the trade has largely operated informally and with minimal regulation, resulting in widespread deforestation and environmental degradation.
“Trees are being felled indiscriminately. Forests — which serve as carbon sinks, biodiversity havens, and heritage assets — are being destroyed at an alarming rate. This trend is unsustainable,” Ndayako warned.
According to CREACC-NG, Nigeria is the largest charcoal producer in Africa and the second-largest globally. Each day, the country loses approximately 1.5 million trees, largely in savannah woodland areas such as Niger, Kogi, Kwara, Taraba, and Benue states. This contributes to an annual deforestation rate of 3.5%, which experts warn could escalate climate-related risks including drought, desertification, and food insecurity.
The dialogue also drew attention to the health implications of charcoal production and usage, particularly for women and children exposed to toxic smoke from traditional cooking methods.
Usman Muhammad, Executive Director of CREACC-NG, announced plans for a National Summit in June 2026 to deepen national dialogue on sustainable biomass energy policies and forest conservation strategies.
Ndayako advocated for the harmonisation of forest and biomass energy policies and called for stronger mandates for enforcement agencies to regulate the production and distribution of charcoal. She stressed that sustainable forest management must involve local communities, promoting practices such as tree planting, agroforestry, and community woodlots.
In addition, she called for a rapid transition to cleaner cooking alternatives such as LPG, ethanol, biogas, briquettes, and solar-powered stoves.
“Forests must be seen as renewable assets, not disposable resources,” she said. “The time for action is now.”
Representing the Ministry of Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad (Minister of State) emphasised the importance of embedding environmental education in Nigeria’s school curriculum to nurture a conservation-minded generation.
“Students must understand biodiversity, tree life cycles, and sustainability from early learning stages,” said Ahmad, represented by Aminulai Modupe, Assistant Director, Environmental Science Education Department.
The ministry also unveiled its Diaspora Bridge Initiative, designed to strengthen climate-related research across tertiary institutions and encourage collaboration on sustainable development, particularly in science and technology fields.
The consensus at the forum was clear: while charcoal remains a key part of Nigeria’s energy mix, its production must become sustainable, regulated, and community-driven. Participants also called for international support to fund alternative energy solutions and climate-resilient forestry initiatives.
The Federal Government reiterated its commitment to hosting continued dialogues and crafting a national framework that balances energy needs with long-term ecological preservation.