Ekiti, a component state in Nigeria has officially joined the Africa Sustainable Commodities Initiative (ASCI), a 10-country compact which puts producer countries in the driving seat for sustainable and deforestation-free development of both crops and forests.
This was announced recently by the decision supports Governor, Biodun Oyebanji’s broader agenda of maximizing grassroots impact through rural development and agricultural transformation.
This marks a significant step in aligning environmental protection with rural and agricultural growth in the state.
As part of ASCI, Ekiti aims to leverage opportunities in high-demand commodities like cocoa and oil palm while prioritizing forest conservation and reforestation.
Although Nigeria became a signatory to the Africa Sustainable Commodities Declaration in 2022, implementation occurs at the state level due to the country’s federal structure.
Ekiti now joins Edo State as one of Nigeria’s leading subnational members, committing to ASCI’s principles of integrated land-use planning and sustainable commodity production.
A recent land use and land cover survey—conducted in collaboration with the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and ProForest—will help guide zoning decisions across the state.
ASCI and its principles can be used as a tool to coordinate this planning, and the land use/ land cover survey which has just been completed in partnership between the State, UK FCDO and the international NGO ProForest helps to carefully zone activities tothe most suitable locations, and to recognise environmentally sensitive areas, as well as to identify degraded forest land which can be reforested or released for agroforestry, according to local community needs and comparative advantage.
Ekiti is fortunate to have islands of biodiversity such as sacred forests and mountaintops to integrate into these plans – adding to the richness of its protected areas. It has recognised 10 such as Community Protected Forests but there remains the crucial need to protect these sacred areas for their cultural importance and community use.
Ekiti State also has Nigeria’s only private tree growers’ association, which is helping to promote the growing of both exotic timber species and endangered indigenous trees. Joining up all of these parts in a consolidated action plan under ASCI means that Ekiti can realise its agricultural vision of secure livelihoods for its population, whilst preserving the forests and sacred groves for its population of the future, and for the benefit of the world in terms of carbon sequestration and protected biodiversity.
ASCI’s facilitator in Ekiti State is Dr. Yemi Akinyugha, Technical Advisor to the Governor on Green Economy and Ecological Matters. You can follow developments in the State on social media at (FORESTRY COMMISSION AND COMMISSIONER OF AG SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES)
