As economic challenges deepen, a growing number of Nigerians are relying on charcoal and firewood for cooking, prompting serious concerns over the environmental and health consequences of this shift.
Usman Muhammad, Executive Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC-NG), revealed that Nigeria is currently the leading producer of charcoal in Africa and ranks second globally.
He stressed that this level of production is accelerating the country’s deforestation crisis.
According to him, an estimated 1.5 million trees are cut down every day, contributing to an alarming annual deforestation rate of 3.5%.
This trend has triggered a range of environmental issues, including rising carbon emissions, biodiversity loss, worsening droughts, soil depletion, desertification, and health hazards linked to unregulated charcoal production methods.
During a stakeholder dialogue held on Wednesday in Abuja, the Federal Government cautioned that the expanding charcoal industry poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s forests and long-term environmental sustainability.
Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, Permanent Secretary of the Ecological Project Office (EPO), highlighted that the largely unregulated and informal nature of the charcoal industry is significantly driving deforestation and harming ecosystems.
She noted that despite its environmental toll, charcoal remains a primary source of household energy for millions of Nigerians, especially in rural and peri-urban areas.
“With more than 70 percent of the population relying on biomass for cooking, the demand for charcoal has surged dramatically, not only for local use but also for export,” she explained.
Dr. Ndayako pointed out that trees are frequently cut down without oversight, leading to severe environmental degradation, while efforts toward reforestation remain minimal.
“Our forests, which act as vital carbon sinks, habitats for biodiversity, and cultural landmarks, are increasingly under threat,” she warned.
The event, hosted by the Centre for Renewable Energy and Action on Climate Change (CREACC-NG) with support from EkoEnergy, carried the theme: “Trade and Trees – Rethinking Charcoal Production and the Vanishing Forests.”
Dr. Ndayako advocated for improved policy alignment, greater community involvement in sustainable forest management, and increased investment in cleaner energy alternatives like liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), biogas, and solar-powered cookstoves.
“Forests should be regarded as renewable assets rather than expendable resources,” Dr. Ndayako emphasized.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Ahmad, underscored the role of environmental education in curbing unsustainable practices. Represented by Mrs. Aminulai Modupe, Assistant Director in the Environmental Science Education Department, she stressed the need to embed environmental consciousness into the national education curriculum to drive lasting behavioral change.
“Children are being taught about tree life cycles, biodiversity, and the value of sustainability from an early stage,” she said. Prof. Ahmad also highlighted the ministry’s Diaspora Bridge Initiative, which seeks to enhance research partnerships in science and technology.
Meanwhile, Executive Director of CREACC-NG, Usman Muhammad, reiterated that Nigeria ranks as Africa’s top charcoal producer and second globally, with the industry playing a major role in the country’s high deforestation rates.
“Every day, an estimated 1.5 million trees are cut down, pushing the annual deforestation rate to 3.5 percent,” he stated.
“This contributes to rising carbon emissions, biodiversity decline, prolonged droughts, land degradation, advancing desertification, and health hazards linked to poor production practices.”
Muhammad revealed that the centre intends to host a national summit in June 2026 aimed at advancing dialogue and fostering a coordinated national strategy to address the ongoing crisis.
