By Blessing Bature
The Federal Government has validated the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan for 2025 to 2030, reaffirming its commitment to protecting biodiversity and fulfilling its global obligations under the Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The revised NBSAP 2025–2030 outlines transformative targets designed to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems.
Speaking at the validation workshop held in Abuja, in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Environment Programme, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, noted that global attention is focused on an ambitious biodiversity agenda.
Lawal, represented by the Director of the Forestry Department at the Ministry of Environment, Dr Moses Amah, said Nigeria and the wider ECOWAS region played a pivotal role in shaping the GBF between 2020 and 2022, acting as key negotiators in international discussions.
“It is now strongly incumbent on us to demonstrate our full commitment towards comprehensive national implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The minister highlighted Target 1 as a standout component of the plan, which commits to ensuring that by 2030, all areas of high biodiversity are effectively managed and their loss brought close to zero.
The updated NBSAP has been adopted as a whole-of-government policy. The 23 national targets are each in alignment with the corresponding global biodiversity targets and goals.
In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary at the ministry, Mahmud Kambari, said the plan will help safeguard Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come.
Kambari, also represented by Dr Amah, said, “Biodiversity is not just about conservation, it is the foundation of our ecosystems, economies, and livelihoods. As a country blessed with diverse flora and fauna, it is our duty to develop strategic frameworks that promote the protection, restoration, and sustainable use of these invaluable resources.”
He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to translating the strategies into actionable solutions.
The Director-General of the National Biosafety Management Agency, Dr Agnes Asagbra, urged integrating the action plan into policies, programmes, and budgets, while also stressing collaboration with donors, development partners, the private sector, and academia.
The National Coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme, Ibironke Olubamise, explained that GEF is the largest funder of environmental projects in developing countries, with three components—full-size, medium-size, and small grants—active in Nigeria.
She said the small grants focus on mobilising community efforts for environmental management, operating in 30 states across Nigeria.
She highlighted that GEF has five key focus areas, including biodiversity and climate change.
