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•  13 Mar, 2024
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BRIEF ON THE MINISTRY

The Ministry of Forestry was carved out of the Ministry of Agriculture in August, 2004 (to become the first and only Ministry of Forestry in the Country) so as to fully exploit and develop the potentials of the State’s forest resource in all ramifications. The primary responsibility of the Ministry is to ensure rapid development of the State’s forest resources in all ramifications.  It is also to coordinate all forestry activities in the State with a view to ensuring controlled and sustainable exploitation of timber and non-timber forest resources so as to prevent soil degradation and provide mitigation against other disasters such as erosion, flood, global warming etc. which could result from deforestation.

Ogun State can be considered as the cradle of Forestry in Nigeria because the first Forest Reserve in the country is situated here in Ogun State at Olokemeji, it was established in 1915. Apart from this, the State can also boast of the largest industrial tree plantation in the country – Ogun State Forestry Plantation Project, Area J4 occupying an area of 670.67sqkm.

The importance of forestry, particularly in Ogun State is extensive.  The forests make valuable contributions to the development of the economy of the State and to the general standard of living of the populace. Interestingly, Ogun State is naturally endowed with abundant forestry resources, which when harnessed could support wide range of economic activities in the State in particular and the nation in general.

STRUCTURE OF THE MINISTRY

The Ministry is headed politically by the Honourable Commissioner, Hon. Engr. Taiwo Oludotun while the Permanent Secretary, Mr Timothy Ayoola Olatunji is the Accounting Officer.

The Ministry is sectioned into seven (7) Departments, four (4) Professional Departments and three (3) Support Departments each headed by Directors.

The Departments are;

1. Department of Silviculture
2. Department of Regulation & Utilization
3. Department of Non-Timber Forest Programme, Wildlife & Ecotourism
4. Department of Survey, Demarcation, Inventory & Extension
5. Department of Planning, Research & Statistics
6. Department of Administration & Supplies
7. Department of Finance & Accounts

STATUTORY FUNCTIONS

The following are the mandates of the Ministry of Forestry:

• Ensuring adequate and continuous supply of forest products through the development and sustainable exploitation of the State’s forest resources in order to protect the environment and ensure ecological balance.                                                                                                                         
•  Protection of the State’s forest estates against any form of encroachment, damage or destruction and to regenerate the forests at a rate that is much higher than exploitation.                
• Mounting extensive campaigns on the need for private individuals, schools, communities, organized private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), to grow trees on their farmland.
• Development, management and protection of wildlife in order to prevent the extinction of rare and endangered species.
• Protection of the environment through the prevention and control of pollution, Afforestation and regeneration of degraded areas, and research into core forestry programmes.
• Planning, promoting and coordinating forestry programmes through Social and Environmental Impact Assessment (SEIA), Eco-regeneration, assistance to organization, implementing environmental and extension research and training to augment the requisite manpower and creation of awareness globally.
• Sustaining development and human wellbeing through the implementation of policies and programmes that promotes global climate change mitigation.
• Promoting the use of indigenous knowledge as a viable tool for Forest Management.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS/ADDRESS

Website: www.ogunforestryoperations.com.ng

E-mail: ogunministryofforestry@gmail.com

Twitter: @ogunforestry

Facebook: ministryofforestry