The federal government on Wednesday reaffirmed its commitment to achieving zero biodiversity loss in Nigeria by the year 2030.

The Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, made this known at the Validation Workshop on the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in Abuja.

Mr Lawal was represented by the Director of Forestry in the ministry, Amah Moses..

According to him, the validation workshop marks a crucial milestone in the country’s efforts to align national strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

He stated, “By 2030, all areas will be effectively managed to reduce the loss of high biodiversity areas to near zero. As a country blessed with diverse flora and fauna, it is our responsibility to develop a strategic framework that promotes the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of these invaluable resources.’’

Mr Lawal stressed that Nigeria’s biodiversity was not only vital for ecological balance but also played an important role in the country’s economy, culture, and food systems.

“Biodiversity is not just about conservation; it is the foundation of our ecosystems. It provides food, medicine, clean water, and healthy soils,” he noted.

He reiterated that the health and well-being of Nigerians depended on a healthy environment and called for collective efforts to lay the groundwork for a more resilient and ecologically sustainable nation.

He noted, “As we move to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and its ambitious goals, it is worth recalling Nigeria’s active role, along with ECOWAS, during its development between 2020 and 2022.”

In her remarks, the Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA), Agnes Asagbra, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to biodiversity conservation and collaboration with the Ministry of Environment.

She said, “The private sector also has a key role to play, especially in biotech and agriculture-based industries, to support biodiversity through corporate social responsibility.’’

Similarly, the Coordinator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), Ibironke Olubamise, highlighted the programme’s extensive support for biodiversity initiatives.

She stated,  “Biodiversity has always been a priority. To date, we have supported between 60 and 70 biodiversity projects in Nigeria.’’

She added that the programme worked in nearly all the national parks and supported non-governmental organisations and local communities across the eight traditional national parks in the country. 

(NAN)