By YUSUF KOLAWOLE
African wisdom teaches that “He who guards the forest today preserves the wealth of generations yet unborn.” This timeless proverb encapsulates the strategic importance of securing Nigeria’s forests, not merely as ecological assets but as pillars of economic sustainability and national prosperity. In a country blessed with vast forest reserves and abundant natural resources, the safety and proper management of these forests have far-reaching implications for agriculture, education, mining, transportation, and overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Another proverb aptly states, “When the forest is safe, the farms prosper, the rivers flow freely, and the people sleep in peace.” Security and development are inseparable twins. Where forests are peaceful and free from criminal activities, economic activities flourish, investment grows, and communities experience stability. Conversely, insecurity in forest regions creates a chain reaction of economic losses that extends far beyond the immediate areas affected.
Agriculture: Securing the Nation’s Food Basket
Agriculture contributes approximately one-quarter of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and employs millions of citizens. However, persistent banditry and insurgency in forested regions have forced thousands of farmers to abandon their lands. States such as Benue, Niger, Kaduna, Zamfara, and Katsina, once known for abundant food production, have witnessed reduced agricultural output due to insecurity.
Protecting forests means protecting farmlands. Safe forest corridors enable farmers to cultivate larger areas, encourage private investment in agribusiness, and enhance food security. Increased agricultural productivity reduces food inflation, strengthens exports, and boosts national income. Indeed, a secure forest today guarantees a secure food supply tomorrow.
Education: Learning Thrives in Peace
Educational development suffers wherever insecurity persists. Numerous schools in rural communities have been shut down due to kidnapping and attacks by criminal groups operating from forests. Teachers and students become vulnerable, resulting in declining enrolment and poor learning outcomes.
A peaceful environment allows children to attend school without fear. Education, in turn, produces the skilled manpower necessary for industrialization and technological advancement. Human capital development remains one of the greatest assets any nation can possess. Thus, forest security is indirectly an investment in Nigeria’s intellectual and economic future.
Mining Sector: Unlocking Buried Wealth
Nigeria possesses vast deposits of gold, lithium, limestone, tin, and other strategic minerals, many of which are located around forest belts. Unfortunately, insecurity has created opportunities for illegal mining activities, depriving the nation of enormous revenue and encouraging environmental degradation.
Securing forest areas would attract legitimate investors into the mining sector, increase government revenue, create employment opportunities, and reduce dependence on crude oil. As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, Nigeria stands to earn billions of dollars if its mineral-rich forests are effectively secured and regulated.
Transportation and Trade: Restoring Economic Connectivity
Road networks traversing forest regions are increasingly becoming dangerous routes for travellers and transport operators. Frequent kidnappings and attacks have increased transportation costs and disrupted the movement of goods and services.
A secure forest environment promotes efficient logistics and commerce. Farmers can transport produce to markets without fear, businesses can expand distribution networks, and interstate trade can flourish. Reduced transportation risks lower operating costs and improve competitiveness across various sectors of the economy.
Gross Domestic Product: The Multiplier Effect
The saying, “Security in the forest is like the roots of a tree; unseen, but essential for every branch to flourish,” illustrates how national security functions as the invisible foundation of economic growth. Just as healthy roots sustain a tree, secure forests sustain the sectors that collectively drive GDP growth.
Agriculture, mining, transportation, tourism, manufacturing, and commerce all depend on a stable environment. Investments flow where security exists. Jobs are created when businesses operate with confidence. Government revenues rise when economic activities expand. Consequently, forest security should not be viewed merely as a military concern but as a critical economic policy.
A Legacy for Future Generations
Protecting Nigeria’s forests means preserving biodiversity, combating climate change, safeguarding water resources, and creating opportunities for future generations. Sustainable forest management and an enhanced security architecture will ensure that the nation’s natural wealth continues to support economic development for decades to come.
As the ancient wisdom reminds us, “He who guards the forest today preserves the wealth of generations yet unborn.” Nigeria’s forests are more than trees and wildlife; they are strategic economic assets whose protection will determine the country’s prosperity in the twenty-first century.
The task before policymakers, security agencies, traditional rulers, and local communities is clear: reclaim the forests, restore peace, and unlock the immense economic potential hidden within them. For a nation that secures its forests secures its future.
*Kolawole, economist and public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos.
