Abstract

This paper reviews the Nigerian private forestry development which has much potential to advance eco-friendliness, economic expansion, and sustainable development. This is an emerging concept in Nigeria and is yet to be fully established as in other countries. However, demand for wood products is a continuous growth in Nigeria which has led to a growing interest in private forestry due to its potential to support sustainable development. The forestry sector in Nigeria is mainly dominated by government-owned plantations, accounting for over 90% of the total forest area in the country. However, this has not met the demand for wood products, thus leading to a significant gap between supply and demand. This opens opportunities for private investors and organizations to invest in forestry in Nigeria. Of major challenge facing private forestry in Nigeria is the lack of access to land. Land ownership is government or local communities owned, making it challenging for private investors to obtain the necessary permits and approvals to establish plantations. The lack of good roads and processing facilities has contributed to value-added raw materials. Despite these challenges, there have been some notable successes in private forestry in Nigeria.  There has been an increase in awareness of the potential of private forestry in supporting sustainable development and reducing poverty. Realizing this potential, however, necessitates a concerted effort that solves the difficulties the forestry industry faces and makes the most of its prospects for the benefit of current and future generations.

Key Words: Private forestry, Sustainable, Development, Wood products, Challenges