The Federal Government of Nigeria In a major National Security move has moved to recruit over 70,000 forest guards as part of a broader initiative to protect the country’s forest reserves and curb insecurity.
President Bola Tinubu has given official approval for the establishment of a National Forest Guard System, signaling a strategic shift toward environmental security and protection of critical forest resources.
Under this new plan, over 130,000 armed operatives will be deployed across Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves. This includes an initial phase that will see the employment of 70,000 forest guards, with more recruitments to follow as the program scales.
Recruitment Strategy
The Federal Government has outlined that each of the 36 states, depending on their financial and logistical capacity, will recruit between 2,000 and 5,000 well-trained, heavily armed forest guards. The variation in recruitment numbers allows for flexibility based on the unique terrain, size, and security challenges of each state.
The forest guards, also referred to in some regions as forest rangers or forest security personnel, will not only protect natural forest resources but also play a vital role in combating banditry, illegal logging, kidnapping, and wildlife trafficking—activities that often thrive in unmonitored forest areas.
To ensure a streamlined and professional recruitment process, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Federal Ministry of Environment will supervise both the recruitment and training of these operatives. Their involvement is expected to bring a high level of coordination, discipline, and strategic integration with existing national security frameworks.
The recruitment process will also actively involve security agencies, traditional rulers, and community leaders, ensuring that only individuals with good character and strong local knowledge are selected. This collaborative approach aims to foster community trust, intelligence gathering, and stronger ties between the forest guards and local residents.
Nationwide Implementation and Expansion
Although at least 11 states have already operationalized forest guard systems, the Federal Government’s plan is to standardize, arm, and upscale these units to become part of a national security architecture. With increasing threats emanating from forested areas—ranging from insurgent hideouts to organized crime cells—this initiative is seen as timely and necessary.
The new forest guard units will be equipped with weapons and trained in modern surveillance and response tactics, making them a vital part of Nigeria’s broader internal security strategy.
This recruitment initiative is also expected to contribute significantly to job creation, particularly for youth in rural areas. With thousands of new roles opening up in each state, the forest guard scheme will provide economic relief while simultaneously enhancing national security.
By empowering states to take charge of forest protection with federal oversight, Nigeria is moving toward a decentralized yet coordinated model of environmental security, with long-term benefits for conservation, law enforcement, and public safety.
The forest guard recruitment drive is a critical pillar in President Tinubu’s broader agenda to secure Nigeria’s natural assets while creating jobs and restoring peace to communities long plagued by criminal activity in forested regions.
As more states begin to implement the guidelines, further updates will be provided on recruitment timelines, training schedules, and deployment strategies.