In a decisive move towards environmental sustainability and community empowerment, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) and FIRST Exploration and Petroleum Development Company Limited (FIRST E&P) Joint Venture (‘the JV), in partnership with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), have announced the launch of the ALEC Initiative (Afforestation, Livelihood Enhancement, and Carbon Sequestration).
The initiative will work to combat critical issues of deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate change in 11 littoral communities of Bayelsa State while simultaneously enhancing the socio-economic well-being of the local population.
In Nigeria, the situation calls for immediate action, with an estimated 70-80% of the nation’s original forests already lost due to unsustainable logging and agricultural expansion, as reported by Global Forest Watch and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Moreover, Nigeria harbours 309 species that are currently listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Without immediate and decisive action, Nigeria is on track to lose its remaining mangrove forests by 2050, according to projections by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) – a loss that would not only exacerbate the effects of climate change but also further endanger the country’s rich biodiversity.
In response to these pressing issues, the ALEC Initiative will plant half a million trees over a span of 5 years and work towards rehabilitating and conserving critical ecosystems in the host communities for the NNPC Ltd/FIRST E&P JV.
In addition to contributing to global climate mitigation efforts through enhanced carbon sequestration, the initiative will help restore some critical mangrove and tropical forest habitats for these communities in a bid to create greener, more sustainable ecosystems that benefit both people and wildlife.
Commenting on the partnership signing, Bala Wunti, chief upstream investment officer, NNPC Upstream Investment Management Services (NUIMS), said,
“this initiative reflects our dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility as well as a clear understanding that sustainable business success is inherently tied to the well-being of the communities we serve and the ecosystems we rely on.”
“The ALEC Project marks a pivotal step in our journey towards a sustainable future,” said Mr. Etomi, Executive Director, Corporate Services at FIRST E&P, during the partnership signing event.
“By restoring the vital ecosystems of our host communities, we are not only addressing a critical environmental need but also empowering local communities with new economic opportunities. This project exemplifies the powerful synergy between environmental stewardship and community development, underscoring our deep commitment to leaving a lasting legacy of positive impact.”
Also speaking at the partnership signing, the Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Dr. Joseph Onoja, remarked,
“We are very excited about this project because it aligns with our strategic pillars, such as habitat restoration, tackling the climate crisis, and species conservation. This project will help us achieve some of the key goals we have set and ensure that people in the beneficiary communities, as well as Nigerians as a whole, enjoy a better quality of life while safeguarding the environment.”
Officially launched this week with a signing event at the Lekki Conservation Centre in Lagos, the project marks the beginning of an ambitious journey toward environmental renewal and community resilience.
This initiative not only reinforces Nigeria’s leadership in global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss but also underscores the nation’s critical role in fostering sustainable development.
