By Danjuma Amodu | February 24, 2026
Nigeria has taken a significant stride in reinforcing its environmental commitments with the validation of its Seventh National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The report, a culmination of efforts initiated at an inaugural meeting on January 28, 2026, assesses the country’s progress towards achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) targets.
Speaking at the validation workshop, Honourable Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, represented by Tijani Ahmed, Deputy Director Forestry, stressed that the report should inform policy decisions, guide resource mobilization, and strengthen accountability in implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
“The report must not end as an international filing exercise,” the Minister emphasized. “Its findings should inform policy coordination decisions, guide resource mobilization, and strengthen accountability in implementing the NBSAP. We must ensure that the report is evidence-based, comprehensive, and reflective of realities on the ground.”
The Minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, calling for stronger inter-agency coordination, sustainable financing mechanisms, improved environmental data systems, and the meaningful participation of sub-national governments, indigenous communities, women, youth, and the private sector.
Speaking earlier, in her welcome remark, Director of Forestry, Hajiya Halima Bawa-Bwari, represented by Ahmed Labaran, Assistant Director, Forestry, described the exercise as a defining moment for Nigeria’s environmental governance, linking it with the Minister’s call for action.
“The national report goes far beyond a routine international obligation. It serves as a critical reflection of Nigeria’s achievements, gaps, and future priorities in conserving its vast biological wealth,” she stated, echoing the Minister’s emphasis on the importance of the report.
“The National Report is not just a statutory submission. It is a mirror of our collective journey, our progress, our challenges, and our aspirations in protecting the natural heritage entrusted to us,” Bawa-Bwari emphasized.
Biodiversity underpins food security, climate resilience, economic livelihoods, and cultural identity across the country, Bawa-Bwari noted, warning that accelerating ecosystem degradation, habitat loss, and climate pressures demand coordinated and urgent action.
In an overview presentation, John Onyekuru highlighted the need for regular and transparent assessments to track Nigeria’s progress in halting biodiversity loss, restoring ecosystems, and promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
“These assessments depend on measurable indicators, reliable data systems, and coordinated reporting mechanisms that align national efforts with global biodiversity goals,” he said.
The finalised report is expected to guide policy, resource allocation, and biodiversity conservation, positioning Nigeria as a proactive leader in sustainable development. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the finalized report will highlight Nigeria’s progress and chart a renewed path toward achieving the 2030 biodiversity targets.
