FG unveils national strategy for meeting EU deforestation regulation

The Federal Government has unveiled a White Paper outlining Nigeria’s national strategy for compliance with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).

It is a move aimed at safeguarding agricultural exports, strengthening environmental monitoring, and ensuring supply chains are fully traceable and deforestation-free a statement by the ministry said.

Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, announced the initiative during the launch of the White Paper and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ministry and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) in Abuja.

Kyari said the new strategy provides clear guidelines on traceability systems, deforestation-free supply chains, data collection, and capacity-building—especially for smallholder farmers who produce most of Nigeria’s export commodities.

He warned that failure to align with the EU’s stringent sustainability requirements could cost Nigeria over $1 billion in direct export earnings and more than $3 billion in total economic value annually.

“As we know, the European Union Deforestation Regulation sets a new benchmark for agricultural exports,” the Minister said.

“Our commodities must now be traceable to the exact farm boundary, legally produced, and verifiably deforestation-free.”

He noted that the White Paper is central to protecting Nigeria’s export revenue and ensuring rural communities are not excluded from global markets as international buyers adopt stricter sustainability standards.

Kyari also emphasised the strategic partnership with NASRDA, explaining that the agency will provide satellite imagery, real-time monitoring, and technical leadership, while the Ministry will coordinate farmer engagement, policy alignment, and nationwide rollout.

“By establishing a national traceability system anchored on public–private partnerships and leveraging NASRDA’s geospatial capabilities, Nigeria can turn EUDR compliance from a regulatory burden into a competitive advantage,” he added.

Mathew Adepoju, director-general of NASRDA, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the implementation of the MoU, noting that satellite technology would play a pivotal role in monitoring farmland and verifying deforestation-free supply chains.

Marcus Ogunbiyi, permanent secretary of the Ministry, described the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural system, especially as global markets increasingly demand transparency and responsible sourcing.

The event concluded with the formal signing of the MoU establishing a National Framework for Agricultural Produce Traceability, Farmland Monitoring, and Deforestation-Free Supply Chain Verification.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC

Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications

She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet.

An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.