In this report, DAYO OYEWO writes on how a privately owned forest in Osun State is drawing global attention for its role in preserving biodiversity and offering a model for conservation in Nigeria
Deep in the quiet rural landscape of Ikoyi in Osun State lies a stretch of forest that tells a rare story of resilience in a country where many natural ecosystems have steadily disappeared.
The Emerald Forest Reserve, a privately protected forest spanning about 300 acres, has now earned international recognition as a Key Biodiversity Area, a designation that places it among the world’s most important sites for biodiversity conservation.
The recognition marks a significant milestone not only for the forest itself but also for conservation efforts in Nigeria, particularly because the reserve is the first privately owned forest in the country to receive the designation.
The KBA certificate was formally presented at a ceremony held within the reserve in January, drawing conservation experts, researchers, community members and environmental advocates.
The Director-General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Joseph Onoja, who presented the certificate on behalf of the global Key Biodiversity Area Secretariat, said Key Biodiversity Areas are locations identified through rigorous scientific assessments because of their exceptional importance to the survival of species and ecosystems at a global level.
He added during the ceremony that the designation of the forest reserve as a KBA was triggered by the presence of the Ibadan malimbe.
The Ibadan malimbe is a rare bird species endemic to Nigeria, found only in the southwestern region of the country. Because it does not exist anywhere else in the world, the survival of the species is directly tied to the preservation of its habitat in this region.
“This species is endemic, meaning it exists only in Nigeria and nowhere else in the world. Even within Nigeria, it is restricted to the south-west. That makes it extremely vulnerable because whatever happens here directly affects the survival of the species globally.
“No matter how many of them we have today, they are already endangered. If anything goes wrong in this region, the species is lost not just to Nigeria but to the entire world,” Onoja added.
For conservationists, the discovery of the bird within the reserve immediately signalled the ecological importance of the forest. Extensive research followed, eventually leading to the site being formally recognised as a Key Biodiversity Area.
He noted that the designation also demonstrates that conservation initiatives in Nigeria can succeed through local efforts and collaboration.
“This gives hope that Nigerians can initiate conservation processes and complete them successfully. Other sites across the country, including freshwater ecosystems with endemic species, can also go through this process,” he said.
The forest’s co-director, Dr. Modupe Ladipo, received the certificate on behalf of the reserve and dedicated the recognition to the surrounding communities whose cooperation has helped protect the forest over the years.
“This achievement belongs to the community as much as it belongs to us. Without their support, it would have been difficult to preserve this forest,” she said.
Family vision across generations
The Emerald Forest Reserve did not begin as an international conservation project. Its origins date back to a family commitment to preserving nature that spans nearly a century.
Director of the reserve, Professor Akin Abayomi, explained that the idea of protecting the forest evolved gradually through generations.
The family established a farm estate in Ibadan decades ago, and their connection to the land grew over time. When they later discovered the forested land in Ikoyi in the early 2000s, they were struck by how much natural vegetation still remained compared to the surrounding areas that had already been cleared.
At the time, the region was filled with sawmills as loggers harvested large quantities of timber.
Professor Abayomi said, “Our parents were farmers and agriculturalists. My grandfather worked in agriculture, and my father studied agriculture in the United Kingdom before returning to Nigeria to continue that work. When we first came here, most of the surrounding forests had already been cut down. We decided that this particular place should be preserved.”
Gradually, the family began acquiring parcels of land in the area, eventually expanding the reserve to roughly 300 acres. Instead of clearing the forest for farming or commercial development, they left it untouched to preserve a piece of what the natural ecosystem once looked like.
For Professor Abayomi, who is also the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, the disappearance of biodiversity is one of the greatest environmental threats facing humanity.
“When you step into this forest, you see what the environment used to look like. But once you step outside, you see how much has been lost. Every time a species goes extinct, it is almost like committing a crime against the universe. It is a crime against humanity and against future generations. Once a species disappears, our children will only see it in pictures or museums,” he further stated.
Scientific validation of biodiversity
The forest’s ecological value was confirmed through extensive research carried out by scientists and conservation organisations.
Professor Tayo Oyelowo of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria explained that a series of scientific assessments examined the forest’s plant composition, wildlife population, insect life, soil nutrients, water systems and microbial activity.
In some cases, the researchers discovered species that had already disappeared from other protected forests in Nigeria.
“We studied the plant species, animals, including insects, aquatic habitats and the soil ecosystem. Our findings revealed that the reserve contains a range of indigenous and endangered species. This is a private conservation area, yet its biodiversity is richer than that of some government-protected forests and national parks,” Oyelowo noted.
Providing more insight on the discovery of the Ibadan malimbe, Dr. Ekundayo Abayomi, who is also a co-director, said ornithologists from the University of Jos and the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture monitored the bird population in the forest for three years.
“Every few months, researchers visit the forest to record bird species, observe nesting patterns and track migratory birds that pass through the area during certain seasons. They also set up bird nets to capture and release birds in order to tag them for scientific monitoring.
“Through this process, researchers documented the presence of the rare Ibadan malimbe and confirmed that the birds were breeding within the forest. The discovery, according to her, generated excitement among conservationists.
“For years, scientists feared the species was disappearing because its habitat was being destroyed. So when researchers began to see them here, it was encouraging,” Ekundayo explained.”
Beyond birds, the forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Monkeys that had disappeared from surrounding areas have gradually returned to the reserve, forming several colonies.
There have also been sightings of pangolins, one of the most trafficked mammals in the world due to illegal wildlife trade.
During the KBA ceremony, conservationists released a rescued pangolin into the forest as part of ongoing wildlife protection efforts led by the Green Fingers Wildlife Conservation Initiative.
Challenges of preserving forest
Despite its ecological importance today, preserving the forest was not always easy.
On her part, Dr. Ladipo said illegal logging, poaching and staff retention were among the initial challenges encountered at the farm.
According to her, the family had to rely on support from community leaders and law enforcement to stop the activities.
She said, “When we started, some people came in to cut trees and hunt animals. We had to appeal to the traditional ruler, and gradually, through diplomacy and sensitisation, the community began to understand the importance of protecting the forest.”
She added that retaining workers was also difficult due to the remote nature of the forest.
“It was challenging to keep staff because of the location. We experienced turnover and had to train workers repeatedly to understand what conservation entails. But by involving them and demonstrating the value of the forest, they became committed to the work,” she disclosed.
Future plans and sustainability
Speaking on future plans, Ladipo said efforts were underway to expand the forest and strengthen measures for its long-term protection.
She added that the initiative also aims to promote wider acceptance of conservation and encourage reforestation beyond the privately owned reserve, including on government-managed land.
According to her, involving children and staff in the project is a deliberate step towards building lasting commitment to environmental sustainability.
“We are seeking support from local communities, government and international organisations to sustain the forest, expand conservation efforts and enhance ecosystem projects,” Modupe said.
“We do not want to be seen as beggars but as partners in preserving the planet. With the right collaborations, we can protect biodiversity, promote research and inspire other conservation initiatives across Nigeria and beyond,” she added.
The reserve introduced training programmes to create alternative sources of livelihood for residents in nearby villages, some of whom are also staff of the reserve. These include workshops in woodworking, beekeeping, textile production and craft-making.
On her part, Dr. Ekundayo said the aim was to demonstrate that protecting the forest could generate economic opportunities without destroying it.
Also, the forest has gradually transformed into a living laboratory for scientists and conservationists over the years.
“If you sell raw materials, you earn very little. But if you add value to them, you create more income. For example, fallen trees from natural storms are sometimes used to train community members in furniture making rather than being sold as raw timber,” Ekundayo explained.
“The reserve has also collaborated with universities and research institutions to support environmental studies. Students from the University of Ibadan regularly visit the forest to study biodiversity, soil composition and ecosystem dynamics. For many students, this is the closest natural forest they have ever seen,” she added.
Yet maintaining the reserve has required enormous personal sacrifice.
The directors, who are siblings, acknowledged that the project has largely been funded from their personal savings and pensions.
“All our savings have gone into this. But for us, wealth is not just money. Wealth is also the environment we leave behind for future generations,” Ekundayo disclosed.
Model for conservation
Looking ahead, the siblings hope the forest will become a model for conservation efforts across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Professor Abayomi expressed concerns over the growing threat of deforestation, stressing the need for practical conservation efforts. He also emphasised the role forests play in combating climate change.
“Deforestation is happening everywhere. If we can show that conservation works here, then it can be replicated in other places. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and release oxygen, making forests essential in reducing global carbon emissions. This forest is like a farm that produces oxygen. We remove carbon dioxide from the air and store it in trees.”
For conservationists, protecting forests in Africa is increasingly seen as part of a global climate solution.
“Developed nations that produce high levels of carbon emissions may need to invest in preserving forests that act as carbon sinks. If the world industrialises everywhere, there will be nowhere left to absorb carbon. So protecting forests is not just about Nigeria—it’s about the entire planet,” Abayomi explained.
The directors also hope the KBA recognition will provide stronger protection for the forest in the future.
“International recognition often helps prevent destructive development projects because it draws global attention to the ecological importance of such sites. If something like this is recognised globally, it becomes harder for anyone to destroy it,” Abayomi said.
However, they acknowledge that the long-term survival of the forest will depend on future generations continuing the work.
Regrowing a forest like Emerald, they say, would take up to two centuries if it were destroyed.
For now, the forest stands as a rare example of what can happen when individuals commit to protecting nature despite the odds.
In a country where forests are disappearing rapidly, the Emerald Forest Reserve offers a glimpse of a different future—one in which conservation, community involvement and scientific research come together to safeguard biodiversity.
As visitors walk through its shaded trails, listening to the sounds of birds hidden in the canopy, the message becomes clear: sometimes, saving the planet begins with protecting a small patch of forest.
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