Abdullahi Ango, mandate secretary, Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), has expressed concern over the declining population of bees, calling it a major threat to the ecosystem.

Mr Ango, the chairman of the Technical Committee of the FCT Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, made the remarks at the 2025 World Bee Day celebration in Abuja on Tuesday.

The FCT Agriculture Secretariat, in collaboration with the ACReSAL Project, commemorated the day under the theme: “Bee Inspired to Nourish Us All”.

Represented by Anne Ijeoma, the secretariat’s acting permanent secretary, Mr Ango said the theme aptly reflects bees’ essential role in nutrition and agriculture.

“Scientific evidence has shown that bees are indispensable to human survival, pollinating over 75 per cent of food crops and supporting the livelihoods of millions of farmers and ecosystems,” he said.

He noted that, although they have an important ecological role, bees face increasing threats from habitat destruction, harmful pesticides, climate change, and unsustainable farming practices.

Mr Ango outlined apiculture, the practice of beekeeping, as a vital commercial enterprise with vast potential, especially in rural communities endowed with forest resources.

“Honey, beeswax, and other by-products represent significant sources of income and employment. Our goal is to promote pollinator-friendly practices that safeguard bee populations and ensure food security,” he said.

Earlier, Caroline Opara, FCT project coordinator of the ACReSAL project, said the celebration aimed to promote apiculture as a sustainable livelihood and a strategy for environmental conservation.

“We also seek to engage schools, youth groups, farmers, and forestry stakeholders in pollinator-friendly practices while fostering collaboration among government agencies, NGOs, and the private sector on bee conservation,” she added.

Ibrahim Goni, conservator-general of the National Park Service (NPS), represented by assistant conservator-general Oladipo Cornelius, described bees as nature’s tireless workers, contributing greatly to biodiversity and ecological balance.

“The NPS provides secure habitats for wild bees and other pollinators, supporting natural regeneration in forests, savannahs, and wetlands,” Goni said.

Also speaking, Ama Moses, director of forestry at the Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Okunuga Mathew, chief forest superintendent, urged participants to safeguard the environment and promote biodiversity by protecting bees.

Obianuju Okpo, representing the Nigerian Apiculture Platform, said bees nourish the ecosystem and play a vital role in strengthening Nigeria’s food security system.

The 2025 observance of World Bee Day, originally marked on May 20, was rescheduled to July 22 in Nigeria due to the second anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

As part of the event, assorted seedlings of pollinator-friendly tree species were distributed for planting in homes and farmlands.

(NAN)