President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the recruitment of over 130,000 Nigerian youths as national forest guards to secure the country’s 1,129 forest reserves and combat the growing threats posed by terrorists, bandits, and other criminal elements.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, titled “Forest Guards Established by Federal Government.”
The initiative, which was endorsed at Monday’s expanded Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, directs each state to recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 forest guards, depending on its capacity. The recruitment and training process will be coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Averaging 3,500 forest guards per state—including the Federal Capital Territory—the programme is expected to generate at least 130,000 jobs for Nigerian youths.
“President Tinubu has approved the establishment and immediate recruitment of forest guards to protect the country’s 1,129 forests,” the statement read.
“These guards will be fully trained and armed to flush out terrorists, bandits, and other criminals using forest areas as hideouts.”
The forest guard initiative marks a renewed security collaboration between the federal and state governments. The deployment will help reinforce national security architecture, particularly in rural and forested regions where terrorist and criminal groups often operate with impunity.
During a recent visit to Katsina State, President Tinubu vowed that his administration would not cede an inch of Nigerian territory to terrorists or bandits. He emphasized that reclaiming forestlands from criminal control is a top priority.
Nigeria’s forest reserves—totaling over 1,129—are among the largest in Africa. These reserves vary in size and function, with most managed by state governments and others designated as national parks or biosphere reserves under federal oversight.
In recent years, however, many of these reserves have faced degradation due to illegal logging, encroachment, and infrastructure projects. More recently, they have become sanctuaries for armed criminal groups, posing major security threats.
At least 11 states currently operate forest security outfits, including forest rangers and the Nigerian Hunter and Forest Security Service (NHFSS), which has listed commanders in Niger, Kogi, Benue, and the FCT. These units will now be expanded and standardized under the new national strategy.
“Several states already have forest guards under their ministries of agriculture,” said a Presidency source who requested anonymity. “The plan is to arm and upscale them under a unified national framework.”
This large-scale recruitment drive not only targets improved forest and environmental protection but also aims to create employment opportunities for thousands of young Nigerians—addressing both security and economic concerns in one policy move.
