The notable successes as a result of the NFAP could be better appreciated from an assessment of the originally set objectives. The broad objectives of the NFAP in Nigeria are:
a. Review of the Forestry Sector and Manpower development through individual and group training;
b. Formulation of a coherent development strategy for the forestry sector of Nigeria; and
c. Analysis of NFAP synthesis report through Round Table Conference of Partners.
Within the context of the above stated objectives, the Nigerian NFAP was able to realise the first two of its set out objectives.
This review was encapsulated in a forestry sector review that was a pre-condition for the commencement of the NFAP process and was conducted under the framework of the NFAP with World Bank support. It is important to note here that the World Bank initially proposed the NFAP as a means of coordinating donor and national institutions’ actions in the forestry sector through sector work and people participation. The ultimate goal is to channel resources to ensure the sustainability of the forest cover and forest development.
This review conducted an in-depth analysis of the forestry sector, as against the diagnostic surveys that was prevalent as at then, and identified the critical issues for forestry development so as to develop a consensus behind a concrete strategy and quantifiable targets. In the identification of these critical issues, it recommended further in-depth studies on areas where information gaps were highly noticeable. This provided the basis for the conduction of some specific studies.
The areas that were identified as critical to any attempt to address forestry development problems in the country and for which NFAP commissioned studies were:
(I) Women and Forestry in Nigeria;
(ii) Update of Supply and Demand Data;
(iii) Forestry Extension;
(iv) Study on Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs);
(v) Assessment of Data Requirements for Calculating Sustainable Yield;
(vi) Review of the Wood Based Sector in Nigeria;
(vii) Forest Revenue System Study for Nigeria;
(viii) TFAP, Nigeria: Findings of the preliminary Conservation and Environment Study;
(ix) TFAP: Country Capacity Project; and
(x) Rural Sociology Study
The above studies provided an information base for addressing gaps and identifying overlaps.
The NFAP provided individual and group training to both the formal and informal forestry sector, through workshops, seminars and specialised training. It is to the credit of the NFAP that some officers of the Federal Department of Forestry were trained on the use of computers. . Most importantly, considerable on-the-job training were also conducted.
As at when Nigeria adopted the NFAP, there were 21 states. But by the time it came on stream, the states in the country have been increased to 31, including a Federal Capital territory. Forestry Action Plans were prepared for all the states and these were aggregated into four regional forestry action plans for the country. The existence of a Forestry Action Plan for the state government is now serving as the road map for any forestry development initiative.
One of the most important successes of the NFAP was the institutionalisation of dialogue between all the stakeholders in the forestry sector as a prelude to designing programmes. It has become imperative for most states department of forestry to now involve the stakeholders in any forestry initiative. A ready example is in Plateau State, where a programme on containing drought and desertification is being put in place with the active participation of the traditional rulers, local communities and state forestry officials.
This was further exemplified in the bringing together of the various stakeholders in the Advisory Council Technical Committees and the various working groups as contained in Appendix 2.
The NFAP report is presently serving as the master plan for forestry development in the country. Recently, a Forestry Development Programme was developed for Nigeria and it was coined from the NFAP report. In the same vein, an Inter-Ministerial Committee was set up to prepare a complement to the Forestry Development Programme. The report, Inter-Ministerial Committee Report on Combating Deforestation and Desertification, adopted the Forestry Development Programme (FDP) and most importantly identified diversification of energy sources, with emphasis on renewable resources, as a means of reducing the growing threats of deforestation and desertification. This was a major plank of the NFAP.
A complete re-orientation from the erstwhile approach of developing programmes in offices before implementation has been achieved. In this wise, series of consultations are held with relevant stakeholders to determine needs, ascertain priorities and develop ameliorative measures. This method of programme design is central to new programmes being developed in the forestry sector in Nigeria. A good example is the Micro-Watershed and Environmental Management Programme (MEMP) currently under preparation. This IDA and GEF financed programme is based on community driven investments in addressing degradation problems. FORMECU, under the supervision of the Planning, Research and Statistics Department of the FME is presently mainstreaming this preparation phase. Considerable experience gained under the NFAP is being put into use in the conceptualisation of this programme.
The need for adequate data for efficient planning of programmes was seriously highlighted by the NFAP. In this wise, it was able to inculcate the culture of data collection into practitioners of the forestry sector. It must, however, be mentioned that this is at times hampered by lack of facilities and adequately motivated staff.
