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Professor Adejoke Akinyele, Dean of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources and Lead Facilitator of the University of Ibadan’s Pan-African Restoration Education Network, has emphasised that ecosystem restoration goes beyond just planting trees.
According to her, it involves the comprehensive rebuilding of ecological, social, cultural, and economic systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
Professor Akinyele, speaking on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Kayode O. Adebowale, mni, FAS, fspsp, made the remarks at a comprehensive training program organized by the UI Pan-African Restoration Education Network.
She noted that the training, which focused on landscape restoration dynamics and governance, was designed to equip forestry professionals with the knowledge and skills needed for sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation.
This initiative aligns with the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which aims for global restoration efforts.
The Pan-African Restoration Education Network, which includes institutions from Nigeria, Ghana, Malawi, and Rwanda, is leading the charge in integrating restoration education into forestry curricula.
This network’s goal is to prepare the next generation of professionals to effectively implement large-scale restoration projects.
Professor Akinyele highlighted that the training program, supported by CIFOR-ICRAF and the International Model Forest Network, brings together professionals, researchers, and students to address critical ecological issues.
Dr. Paul Kwakwa, one of the key facilitators from Ghana, explained that the training covers a wide array of topics, such as forest landscape restoration techniques, community engagement, and governance frameworks.
He emphasised the increasing need for professionals with interdisciplinary knowledge and participatory skills, noting that traditional restoration education has focused mostly on reforestation and ecosystem rehabilitation.
“The program integrates technical expertise with social skills to foster a holistic understanding of landscape restoration,” Dr. Kwakwa said, adding that the aim is to produce practitioners who can lead restoration initiatives that meet both local and global sustainability needs.
The training’s first cohort, made up of participants from across Nigeria, represents a significant step towards building a skilled workforce to tackle the country’s environmental restoration challenges.
Participants in the training include forestry professionals, conservationists, policymakers, researchers, and postgraduate students from forestry and related fields.
