A Professor of Geography, Adesola Ogidiolu, has called for urgent and coordinated action to protect, expand and sustainably manage Nigeria’s forest resources, warning that continued degradation poses serious environmental and economic risks.
Delivering the 18th inaugural lecture of the Prince Abubakar Audu University Anyigba, Kogis state titled, “Geographer in the Forest: Issues, Concerns and Tasks,” on Tuesday, Professor Ogidiolu outlined a comprehensive roadmap for safeguarding forest ecosystems while unlocking their economic potential.
He stressed the need to expand forest coverage, including into marginal lands, through deliberate efforts by all tiers of government and the private sector.
According to him, forests remain critical for biodiversity conservation, climate regulation and livelihoods, making their preservation a national priority.
The don advocated sustainable forest management practices such as controlled and delayed harvesting, as well as the adoption of modern silvicultural techniques to prevent misuse and depletion of resources.
He also emphasized the importance of restoring degraded forest landscapes through reforestation and natural regeneration using fast-growing and ecologically adaptable species.
Professor Ogidiolu called for decisive action against deforestation, urging authorities to pursue zero-net deforestation and forest degradation targets.
He further highlighted the need for Nigeria to strengthen compliance with international environmental agreements aimed at reducing carbon emissions and mitigating climate change.
On land use, the geographer recommended rights-based approaches that recognize community interests, alongside increased public participation through the establishment of Forest Protection Communities to curb illegal logging and promote shared ownership of forest resources.
He identified opportunities in developing eco-friendly forest industries and promoting social forestry, where plantations are established outside traditional forest areas for societal benefit.
The lecture also underscored the importance of regular forest monitoring and evaluation to anticipate hazards such as floods, storms, pests and diseases, noting successful examples from countries like Brazil.
Professor Ogidiolu who advocated for continuous training and retraining of forest workers, called for sustained research into forest dynamics to better understand ecosystem complexities and emerging trends in forest science.
Speaking on policy, he challenged government to remove administrative bottlenecks, strengthen inter-sectoral collaboration and promote good forest governance, adding that reducing poverty in forest-dependent communities and creating alternative livelihoods would significantly curb environmental degradation.
While reaffirming the central role of geographers in natural resource management, the university don urged education policymakers to give greater recognition to geography by making it a core and compulsory subject at primary and secondary school levels across Nigeria.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of the institution Prof. Salisu Ogbo Usman described the event as a significant milestone, noting that it was the first in the series since he assumed office.
He said the university’s Senate had approved a comprehensive timetable that would see 13 additional inaugural lectures delivered between 2026 and October 2027, raising the total number from 17 to 30.
“Inaugural lectures are a defining moment of scholarship and a key component of institutional prestige. We are determined not only to catch up with our peers globally but to position PAAU as a hub of vibrant intellectual discourse,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the Inaugural Lecture Committee, chaired by Professor Sunday Salifu Arogba, for its efforts in repositioning the lecture series, describing their commitment as instrumental to the new academic agenda.