Nigeria has successfully launched the Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) and Business Advisory Group (BAG) initiative, marking a major milestone in mobilizing finance for nature and aligning the private sector with the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). Held on 28 November 2025 at Johnwood Hotel, Abuja, the event brought together government officials, development partners, and business leaders to co-create pathways for integrating biodiversity into Nigeria’s economic planning and growth agenda.
New Partnership to Strengthen Public-Private Collaboration
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and Natural Eco Capital, two leading Nigerian organizations committed to conservation and sustainable economic development, have joined forces with Business for Nature, a global coalition of more than 100 influential partner organizations and forward-thinking companies. Together, they aim to strengthen collaboration between business, government, and civil society to mobilize private sector action for Nigeria’s biodiversity goals.
This partnership is part of Business for Nature’s broader national projects initiative, which works country by country to bridge the gap between global ambition and national reality by supporting countries in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and building nature-positive, resilient economies.
Nigeria’s Biodiversity at a Crossroad
Nigeria’s biodiversity faces mounting threats from deforestation, pollution, unsustainable land use, and climate change. The business sector—spanning agriculture, extractive industries, manufacturing, and services—exerts significant pressure on ecosystems, yet holds untapped potential to drive conservation and restoration efforts.
According to the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, only about 4% of Nigeria’s original forest cover remains, with approximately 400,000 hectares lost annually to logging, agriculture, and urban expansion. Between 2000 and 2020, the nation’s tree cover declined by 13%, making Nigeria one of the fastest-deforesting countries in Africa. These alarming trends underscore the urgency for cross-sector partnerships that integrate biodiversity into business decision-making—a key focus of this collaboration.
Uniting Public and Private Sectors
Through this project, the partners will establish a Business Advisory Group (BAG) and develop a Business Action Plan (BAP) aligned with Nigeria’s NBSAP. The BAG will serve as a collaborative platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and alignment of corporate strategies with national biodiversity priorities.
Voices from the Launch
- Dr. Joseph Onoja, Director General of NCF:
“For over four decades, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation has championed the protection and sustainable use of our nation’s rich biodiversity. This partnership creates a unique platform to engage the private sector as an essential partner in restoring ecosystems, creating green jobs, and safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage for future generations.” - Dr. Eugene Itua, CEO, Natural Eco Capital:
“Nature is one of our most valuable assets, and its protection must be seen as smart economics, not philanthropy. By linking biodiversity targets with business strategy and national development priorities, this partnership will help companies understand, measure, and manage their dependencies, impacts, risks, and opportunities on nature in ways that create shared value.” - Mr. Chris Aiwuyo, Deputy Director, Forestry, Federal Ministry of Environment:
“Nigeria’s commitment to achieving a nature-positive future is deeply rooted in our national vision for sustainable development. Partnerships like this are vital to ensuring that the Nigerian private sector, civil society, and government move in the same direction to align investment and innovation with our biodiversity and climate goals.” - Oluwasooto Ajayi, African Lead, Business for Nature:
“Businesses in Nigeria are increasingly paying attention to nature as part of their broader work on sustainability, but they are not yet all aware of how their work contributes to national plans. This collaboration will help accelerate progress for nature in Nigeria by connecting private sector leadership with national biodiversity and climate priorities.”
Turning Global Goals into National Action
In 2022, 196 countries made a historic commitment through the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)—a global plan to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030. Governments cannot achieve this alone; businesses and financial institutions must play a central role in delivering the transition toward a nature-positive future.
Through this partnership, the organizations will:
- Convene leading Nigerian companies and government representatives through the Business Advisory Group (BAG)
- Develop a Business Action Plan (BAP) with clear steps for companies to support Nigeria’s biodiversity and climate goals
- Build capacity and awareness for nature-related action across key economic sectors
The Business Case for Climate and Nature
Climate change and nature loss are deeply interconnected. Tackling them together is vital for building resilient, future-ready economies. For Nigerian businesses, integrated action on climate and nature helps manage risks, attract investment, drive innovation, and strengthen competitiveness. This partnership supports Nigeria’s net-zero pathway and contributes directly to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
About the Partners
- Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF): Nigeria’s premier environmental NGO, founded in 1980, dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development. www.ncfnigeria.org
- Natural Eco Capital (NEC): A sustainability firm helping organizations build resilient, eco-conscious businesses and economies.
- Business for Nature (BfN): A global coalition of over 100 partner organizations and 1500+ companies, accelerating the transition toward a nature-positive economy.
