The Cross River State Forestry Law (2010) was enacted in direct response to Nigeria’s concerning reduction in forest cover, which has been driven by logging, expansion of agriculture, and ineffective enforcement of forest preservation policies. Cross River, known for its exceptional biodiversity, required an immediate legislative framework to safeguard its rainforests. Nonetheless, the 2010 legislation took a directive approach, consolidating power in the Forestry Commission and the Governor’s office. It did not anticipate future developments in global environmental governance, such as the expansion of carbon markets and increased recognition of indigenous peoples’ contributions to environmental challenges. The lack of a substantial participation mechanism or an emphasis on climate adaptation makes the law appear outdated and ineffective in combating ecological degradation, increasing climatic vulnerabilities, and social inequalities. Similarly, the law failed to emphasize reforestation and forest regeneration, and provided little or no structures for the participation of frontline communities in the forest governance framework.
Concerned with these gaps, We the People has been engaging a group of academics, conservationists, lawmakers, civil society leaders, communities and lawyers in meetings to review the law towards proposing changes to bring it in tandem with the contemporary challenges of conservation and climate change.
The review process aims to critically examine the State Forestry Law in light of Nigeria’s contemporary climate obligations, social justice imperatives, and governance deficiencies. In its current framing, key deficiencies in the law include weak community participation, over-centralization of state power, opaque financial mechanisms, and the unchecked promotion of market-based conservation schemes such as REDD+
Relying on thorough analysis and debates, the group is working to propose legislative overhaul grounded in environmental justice, equitable forest governance, and local empowerment, supported by national law and global climate standards.
