Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership to Support Cross River on Forest Tenure Reform Ahead of COP-30

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

The Forest and Climate Leaders Partnership (FCLP) has pledged to collaborate with the Cross River State Government in strengthening forest tenure rights as part of Nigeria’s preparations for the COP-30 summit slated for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.

The commitment was formalised during a two-day stakeholders’ meeting in Calabar, which brought together representatives from government agencies, traditional rulers, NGOs, academia, and local communities to deliberate on land tenure, sustainable livelihoods, and forest management.

Empowering Communities Through Tenure Rights

Director of the Federal Department of Forestry and National Coordinator/Focal Person for REDD+, Dr. Moses Ama, explained that the initiative is designed to empower local communities by helping them understand and leverage their land rights to improve livelihoods and economic opportunities. He disclosed that a Cross River State Roadmap will be drafted to guide a five-year work plan aimed at attracting funding and sustainable investment.

FCLP’s U.S.-based consultant, Mr. Malcom Childress, commended the outcomes of the meeting, noting that past efforts were hampered by weak coordination and policy misalignment. He emphasised that consensus has now been reached to prioritise community-led initiatives in protecting forest rights and advancing conservation.

Legal and Policy Frameworks Under Review

On the legislative front, the Cross River State House Committee on Agriculture, Environment, and Forestry, through its secretary, Dr. Maurice Olory, observed that the state’s forestry laws are outdated and require urgent review. He stressed the need for community sensitisation on existing legal frameworks to ensure compliance and sustainable use of forest resources.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Cross River State Forestry Commission, Rt. Hon. George Oben-Etchi, represented by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Bassey Onoyom Bassey, reiterated that while the Land Use Act of 1978 vests land ownership in government, forest communities are always consulted and compensated before reserves or development projects are established.

Roadmap for Tenure Reform

Stakeholders also discussed a conceptual roadmap for tenure reform, which prioritises identification of reform targets, mapping out critical areas, setting timelines, and linking tenure reforms to community development, new market practices, carbon initiatives, and ecotourism opportunities.

FCLP’s Commitment

In her closing remarks, FCLP Policy Lead, Ms. Lydia Birtwistle Sawyer, assured stakeholders that the partnership is not geared towards exploiting Cross River’s forest resources but rather focused on attracting funding and forging collaborations that will enhance forest management and community livelihoods over the next five years.

With this pledge, Cross River State positions itself as a critical player in Nigeria’s climate and forest governance agenda, aligning with global efforts to protect biodiversity and strengthen local resilience ahead of COP-30.

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