Nigeria’s biodiversity under-researched

Nigeria’s biodiversity is grossly under-researched and under documented; hence its contribution to scientific knowledge and sustainable national development falls short of its inherent potentials, a publication has said.
The publication entitled Nigeria Fifth National Biodiversity Report noted that more than 65 per cent of Nigerians are engaged in biodiversity related jobs and occupation yet its contribution to national development is not taken seriously.
The biodiversity related occupations according to the report include farming, fishing, logging, livestock rearing, agricultural and forest resources marketing, sawmilling and wood processing, manufacturing (paper making, perfume blending, food processing, brewery, distilling, garment and footwear making).
“Hunting and gathering still remain a major occupation in rural areas and the wood based industry engages hundreds of thousands directly and indirectly. Biodiversity allied activities offer employment to Nigerians through commercial and industrial investments such as oil palm and rubber estates, gum Arabic, kola nut, cocoa and forest plantations, tobacco production companies, horticulture and commercial fruit trees investments,” the report added.
According to the report, “Biodiversity in Nigeria, as is the case in many countries is largely considered a common ‘good’. It has been observed that most of the domestic, commercial and industrial activities carried out in the country impacts heavily on the biodiversity resources.”
The report also noted that: “Corruption is another major factor to blame for creating a threatened future for Nigeria’s biodiversity. The collapse of logging controls in Nigeria is traced to corruption of forestry officials and this indirectly affects all other natural resource based products.
‘‘Corrupt politicians have aided the de-reservation of many biodiversity rich areas for non-productive reasons, thereby jeopardizing all past efforts at saving and protecting biodiversity.”
A majority of rural dwellers in many parts of Nigeria derive a higher percentage of their income from wild bio resources. Accordingly, biodiversity forms a solid base for rural livelihoods and economy. Unprocessed wild resources are collected mainly by men and youths while majority of women are involved in the processing of these wild resources to add value for distribution and marketing. Biodiversity therefore forms an integral link between poverty reduction, provision of employment, and sustainable livelihood, the report added.