Addressing Deforestation and Forest degradation in the Okomu Landscape, communities and other stakeholders synergise on implementing restoration efforts supported by Development Partners

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As part of effort towards restoring the Okomu landscape from deforestation and forest degradation, communities and stakeholders recently met at the Okomu National Park under the auspices of Okomu Biodiversity Stakeholders Platform (OBSP). The meeting also served as the inception of a new project aimed at galvanizing partnerships amongst  communities, government  and private organisations towards long-term  restoration of the Okomu Forest Landscape, enabling the forest to recover and improve the livelihoods and well-being of over 100 households. 

The Technical Program Coordinator, of the Society for Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA), Mr. Joseph Molokwu, unveiled the project’s core objective, which includes, incentivizing local communities to support the restoration of the Okomu forest landscape through community empowerment and livelihood programmes. This will benefit about 100 households, support the construction of nurseries and water boreholes in communities. This will also involve participatory reforestation activities, which will lead to the mapping of deforested and degraded areas on the landscape, tree planting in some affected areas and the signing of a public-private-partnership agreement for long-term restoration of the Okomu forest landscape, which has suffered severe deforestation for decades.

Support Zone Communities appreciated SCERA for the effective implementation of a previous project funded by BIOPAMA, which ended in 2024, where farmers were empowered with tree seedlings, beekeeping equipment and agricultural implements. They assured the partners of their full support and involvement in the new project funded by the United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF-SGP) and The Rufford Foundation.

The Okomu National Park (ONP) Conservator of Park, CP Lawrence Osaze, Speaking through his representative, DCP Matthias Enaberue, highlighted that Edo State once had over 40 vibrant forest reserves but now, Okomu is among the very few remaining sustainable reserves, underscoring the urgency for collective action. 

Representing the National Coordinator, GEF-SGP, Mr. Thomas Odemwingie, a member of the GEF-SGP National Steering Committee, urged communities and other stakeholders to support this initiative and ensure its success as government cannot do it alone.

The Police through the Iguobazuwa Divisional Police Officer- Julius Igbinosa obliged the support of the Police for a peaceful Implementation of the project. He thanked the community for their support.

The OBSP meeting was attended by a wide array of stakeholders, including representatives from 10 support zone communities of the Okomu National Park, the Federal College of Forest Resources Management, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Fuga, Edo State, represented by the Provost, Dr. Sylvester Areghan; the Edo State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the Africa Nature Investors (ANI).

The project is a 12-month initiative implemented by the Society for Sustainability and Conservation Education for Rural Areas (SCERA) with support from the United Nations Development Programme Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP GEF-SGP) and The Rufford Foundation, United Kingdom.

With strong collaboration between communities, government institutions, conservation stakeholders, and development partners, this initiative sets a hopeful tone for restoring Okomu Forest and improving community livelihoods.


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