Deforestation is the conversion of forest lands to another use without replacing the trees destroyed. From 2001 to 2022, Nigeria lost 12% of its tree cover. This puts Nigeria as one of the most rapidly deforesting countries in the world.
The chief causes of deforestation in Nigeria are agriculture, urban expansion, and logging. So while we are developing our economy, it is at a cost to the environment—and to our personal health.
How Does Deforestation Impact Health?
1. Heat and Climate Stress
Trees provide shade. They also remove carbon dioxide—a gas with a tendency to trap heat in the atmosphere. When we remove trees in large numbers, we lose that cooling shade and trap even more heat in the air. This is worse in urban centres filled with dark asphalt roads, metal vehicles, and few trees. These all radiate heat with no natural buffer. To get a feel for this, just remember how you feel in busy Lagos or Kano on a hot afternoon.
2. Increased Disease Spread
Many disease-carrying animals and insects live in the forest, far from human settlements. This distance helps prevent disease transmission. A good example is the Aedes mosquito, which spreads yellow fever. But when we destroy forests, we force animals closer to people. This increases the risk of both strange and common diseases like Lassa fever and malaria.
3. Food and Water Shortages
Forests protect soil fertility and structure by providing shade, adding organic matter like leaf litter, and holding the soil in place with their roots. They also help the water cycle by storing and releasing moisture. When forests are cleared—even for agriculture—the soil becomes dry, loose, and less fertile. It is easily washed away by wind and rain. And with fewer trees, there’s less rain. That’s how desertification begins. And desertification is real in Nigeria. Between 1960 and 1990, Lake Chad in Borno shrank to less than 10% of its original size. This loss leads to water shortages, dehydration, and more waterborne diseases. Food shortages follow, causing malnutrition—especially deadly in children.
4. Increased Air Pollution
Forests filter the air. They trap pollutants like dust and fine particles and absorb carbon dioxide. Through photosynthesis, they also give us clean oxygen. But when forests are gone, these pollutants collect in the atmosphere. The result? Increased rates of asthma, chronic lung disease, and pneumonia.
What Can We Do?
1. Plant a Tree!
Practice afforestation—plant trees wherever you can. Mobilise your community to plant trees in public spaces like parks, schools, and marketplaces. According to the WHO, the best kind of city is a “green city.”
2. Don’t Use Charcoal or Firewood
The demand for firewood is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation in Nigeria. Reduce or stop using it. Instead, use cleaner fuel sources like gas or electric cookers.
3. Advocate for Stronger Forest Protection Laws
Farming, grazing, and industry must continue. But these activities must happen under laws that protect our forests. Support and vote for leaders who take forest protection seriously. Ken Saro-Wiwa was such a man. Look out for others like him—and vote them into office.
Conclusion
You may live far from the forests. But the forests should be close to your heart. Because, as you have seen, deforestation can affect both your comfort and your health.
You’re reading about environmental health. Come and learn about zoonoses and pandemics from this blog post.
