The Federal Government on Wednesday officially validated Nigeria’s revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030, marking a significant milestone in efforts to halt biodiversity loss and reduce ecosystem degradation across the country.
The updated NBSAP, aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, provides a comprehensive roadmap to protect Nigeria’s unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity while integrating conservation goals into national development priorities.
The validation, which took place in Abuja, was conducted on behalf of the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, by the Director of the Forestry Department, Dr. Amah Moses.
In his remarks, the Minister described the revised NBSAP as ambitious and transformative, with clear, measurable targets. “Target 1 alone will have a massive impact,” he said, highlighting the strategy’s focus on conserving endemic species and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
He stressed that biodiversity conservation is more than an environmental goal—it is a national priority. “Nigeria’s biodiversity underpins food security, agriculture, access to fresh water, and overall wellbeing. Protecting it is essential for the future of our country,” Lawal stated.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mahmud Kambari—also represented at the event—described the validation workshop as a critical step forward, emphasizing that months of stakeholder consultations and expert input had gone into aligning the strategy with global best practices.
“As we validate this document, we reaffirm our collective resolve to transform it into action,” he said.
Speaking on the role of civil society, the Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Joseph Ojo, underscored the need for shared responsibility in environmental stewardship.
“Biodiversity conservation is in our own interest. We’re not helping the environment—we’re helping ourselves. Ultimately, the environment can survive without us, but we cannot survive without it,” Ojo emphasized.
The newly endorsed NBSAP sets Nigeria on a path to not only conserve its rich natural heritage but also leverage biodiversity for sustainable economic and social development.
