The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Ogun State Government in developing biodiversity-based businesses that promote sustainable livelihoods and conserve the state’s biosphere reserve.
Dr Jean-Paul Abiaga, Head of Office, UNESCO Abuja, and the organizations Representative in Nigeria, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit to the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tokunbo Talabi, on Thursday in Abeokuta.
Abiaga said the visit was to brief the government on UNESCO’s ongoing projects in the state, express appreciation for the cooperation received, and further strengthen collaboration between Ogun and the organization.
He disclosed that UNESCO had received one million dollars from the India–UN Partnership Fund to implement the Biodiversity Business Project in three sites across Nigeria — the Oban Biosphere Reserve in Cross River, the Omo Biosphere Reserve in Ogun, and the Shere Hills Forest Reserve in Plateau State.
“The objective of the project is to support youths, women, and local communities in developing biodiversity-related businesses,” he said.
“We have selected ten communities within the Omo Biosphere Reserve for training in piggery and fish farming biodiversity enterprises. The goal is to help them create alternative sources of livelihood that generate income while protecting the environment.”
Abiaga said the initiative aligns with UNESCO’s global priority of balancing biodiversity protection with sustainable livelihoods.
“This project combines environmental conservation with income generation and supports the UN target of protecting 30 per cent of global biodiversity on land and sea,” he said.
He expressed UNESCO’s desire to scale up the project and continue collaboration with the Ogun State Government and private partners with shared interests.
In his remarks, Talabi described biodiversity conservation as crucial to sustainable development and disclosed that the state was considering establishing a task force to protect the green life of the Omo Biosphere Reserve.
“We want people to live off the land without degrading it. We are planting trees, but all is not well with that area. This initiative is timely,” he said.
Talabi commended UNESCO for supporting local communities and urged the agency to expand the project to cover more areas in the state, adding that such efforts could help reduce rural–urban migration.
“We already have forest guards deployed across the state, and we are open to partnering with any organisation that adds value to the system,” he said.
“Any approach that can reduce poverty while protecting the environment is welcome.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Forestry, Mr Oludotun Taiwo, said the programme aligns with the Ogun State Government’s agenda for forest conservation and poverty alleviation.
“This initiative will help reduce indiscriminate tree felling, lower carbon emissions, and create new sources of livelihood. We are ready to collaborate for its success,” Taiwo said.
The visit featured the presentation of the UNESCO Science Report and other souvenirs to the SSG.
