A Professor of Forest Products Utilisation, Olukayode Yekin Ogunsanwo, has recommended that the Federal Government should put in place a policy to steer the development of the wood industry in the country.
He argued that the Wood industry is a key player in the global economy, which is gradually becoming a big source of income for many countries in the developed world. He advised developing countries like Nigeria to key into this.
According to him, the extant Forest Policy in Nigeria only makes a passing statement on wood development and utilisation despite the position of wood as one of the major and important forest resources in the country.
Professor Ogunsanwo gave this charge in the 521st Inaugural lecture of the University of Ibadan, which he delivered on behalf of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources.
He also called for the creation of the National Centre for Wood and Fibre Research; the development of emerging timber species through public-private forest plantation development initiatives; and the creation of integrated wood-based industrial hubs.
Prof. Ogunsanwo advised further that moribund wood-based companies in Nigeria should be resuscitated.
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He noted that the Nigerian wood-based industry used to be a major contributor to the Gross Domestic Product ( GDP), contributing immensely to employment, household income, primary health care, and general livelihood.
He said there used to be paper manufacturing companies, pulp and paper Mills, plywood Mills, particleboard, and other wood composite making factories. All of these factories have either been sold out or are comatose.
Professor Ogunsanwo said there is a need to attract and encourage capable investors within and outside Nigeria to partner with the government in resuscitating these national assets adding that sustainable wood utilisation can only be achieved if major wood processing plants within the country are actively running.
Professor Ogunsanwo’s lecture was entitled “Sustainable Wood Utilisation: A Cue from the Noah’s Ark”
