Constraints to Forest Policy Implementation in the Southwest Nigeria: Causes, Consequences and Cure

There are many hindrances to effective implementation of the forest policy in the South-Western Nigeria. This paper examines the constraints to forest policy implementation in the South-Western Nigeria and their impacts on forest development. Primary data were collected in the six States in Southwestern Nigeria. The States were stratified into thirty one Forestry Administrative Zones viz: Ekiti, 4; Lagos, 5; Ogun 4; Ondo, 8; Osun, 6; and Oyo, 4. One forest officer in charge of each zone and one in charge of each State headquarter were selected to give 37 Forest Officers. In addition, 10% registered timber contractors (94), registered sawmillers (167); plank sellers (115); and villagers within and outside the chosen forest reserves (97) totaling 510 respondents were randomly selected for enumeration using structured questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square (χ2) at 0.01 level of significance. Constraints identified include: illegal felling and poaching (χ2= 333.74, p<0.01), lack of effective supervision and coordination (χ2 = 28.72, p<0.01), inadequate information from the policy makers (X2 = 109.84, p<0.01), lack of complementary roles by all forestry stakeholders (χ2=84.03, p<0.01, non-encouragement of private forest plantation (χ2=36.28, p<0.01) and undefined forestry programmes (χ2=17.69, p<0.01) but with a low degree of dependence (V=0.27). In conclusion, it is recommended that if the on-going deforestation, forest depletion and degradation are to be curbed, it is essential to have a proactive and forward-looking policies anticipating economic, social and environmental changes to guide the development of the forest sector.