The University of Ibadan has launched a comprehensive training program on Landscape Restoration Dynamics and Governance, aimed at equipping forestry practitioners with the knowledge and skills necessary for sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.
The program, conducted in partnership with the Pan-African Restoration Education Network and supported by CIFOR-ICRAF and the International Model Forest Network, brings together professionals, researchers, and students to address pressing ecological challenges.
According to the lead facilitator and Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources, University of Ibadan, Prof. Adejoke O. Akinyele, “The training seeks to enhance the capacity of forestry professionals to understand and manage landscape dynamics and governance, aligning with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’s ambitious goals. Participants include forestry practitioners, conservationists, policymakers, researchers, and postgraduate students in forestry and related fields.”
Akinyele noted, “Restoration goes beyond planting trees. It involves rebuilding ecological, social, cultural, and economic systems to ensure sustainability.”
One of the key facilitators, Dr. Paul Kwakwa from Ghana, said: “The program’s training modules cover a broad range of topics essential for effective restoration, including forest landscape restoration techniques, community engagement and participation strategies, and policy and governance frameworks.”
Kwakwa added, “With the growing emphasis on ecosystem and landscape restoration, the need for professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and participatory skills is increasing. While restoration education traditionally focuses on reforestation and ecosystem rehabilitation, this program integrates technical methods with social skills, fostering a holistic understanding of landscape restoration.”
The Pan-African Restoration Education Network, comprising institutions from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Rwanda, spearheads this initiative. By integrating restoration education into forestry curricula, the network aims to prepare a new generation of professionals to implement large-scale restoration projects effectively.
The program is expected to produce practitioners capable of leading restoration initiatives that align with local demands and global sustainability goals. Participants will gain enhanced technical expertise and the ability to design inclusive restoration processes, making them invaluable in addressing the multifaceted challenges of ecosystem and landscape restoration.
The first cohort of trainees has been drawn from various parts of Nigeria, marking a significant step toward building a skilled workforce to tackle the country’s environmental restoration challenges.