Nigeria will be requiring wood and non-wood products for her development up to the year 2020 and beyond. If business were to continue as usual the prospects are bleak and most of the land remaining under forests and woodlands will likely be absorbed into arable agriculture. However, given the present situation of the Nigerian economy five scenarios are possible by the year 2020 and these will depend on the level of investments, degree of planning and management of conflict applied to the overall economy.
However, Government policies are still largely conflicting and there is the need to evolve ways and means of managing these conflicts. The various scenarios point to afforestation and reforestation as very strong signals for forestry in Nigeria. There is therefore need to move from a ceremonial paradigm of afforestation and reforestation to assume a more aggressive posture. Government must as a necessity invest more in afforestation and reforestation especially at State and Local Government Levels. In addition the Private Sector must be encouraged and induced to take greater interest in Forestry. Forestry Department must engage in the enlightenment of the public about the consequences of deforestation and government must invest more funds. The issue of research and development in Conservation techniques, Natural regeneration and Domestication and Multiplication of non-wood forest products including wildlife is very important based on the possible scenarios by 2020.
At present there are many weak signals in Nigeria and these may become very important factors that will drive forestry in the next ten to twenty years. Forestry funding for afforestation and development may have to shift from government to the Private Sector and therefore the participatory approach may become very important in the future. In view of the continuous demands that will be made on the Nigerian forests, integrated land use planning and management may become very important in the near future.
The issue of global warming and climate change may assume greater dimensions in Nigeria as deforestation continues unabated. In this regard, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs) may assume more important roles as being the vehicles for mobilizing the rural communities and attracting foreign funds for the conservation and development of forest resources and the environment.
National Forest Law and its enforcements may assume higher dimensions in the near future.
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