The Ogun State Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), has launched the Collect Earth and Mapathon Data Collection Training to strengthen data-driven forest governance and biodiversity conservation.
The training, organised under the FAO–GEF7 Biodiversity Project, brought together representatives from federal and state government agencies, members of the National and State Project Implementation Units, development partners, resource persons, and participants from relevant environmental institutions.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Ogun State Commissioner for Forestry, Engr. Taiwo Oludotun, described the programme as a strategic investment in human capacity and a critical step toward sustainable forest management. He commended FAO and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for their technical and financial support in advancing biodiversity conservation efforts in Nigeria.
Oludotun noted that forest resources play a vital role in supporting livelihoods, regulating climate, conserving soil, and managing water resources, but are increasingly threatened by illegal logging, encroachment, unsustainable land-use practices, and climate change. He emphasised that reliable and timely data are essential to addressing these challenges.
According to him, tools such as Collect Earth and Mapathon enable more accurate monitoring of land-use changes and forest conditions through geospatial technology, satellite imagery, and participatory data collection methods. He said participants would gain practical skills in data collection, interpretation, and validation, which would strengthen institutional capacity for evidence-based planning and policy formulation.
“These skills will help improve monitoring of forest cover change, assess degradation trends, identify biodiversity hotspots, and enhance reporting under national and international frameworks on biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable land management,” Oludotun said.
He urged participants to fully engage in the training and apply the knowledge gained within their respective institutions to achieve measurable impact in forest conservation and sustainable resource management.
In his remarks, the Chief Technical Advisor for the GEF7 Biodiversity Project, Prof. Segun Oladoye, explained that the Global Environment Facility supports environmental and livelihood-focused initiatives through capacity building and targeted interventions. He noted that the training forms part of the project’s broader capacity development component.
Participants, including forestry officers from Ondo, Edo, and Delta states, said the programme would enhance their understanding of modern geospatial tools and improve their ability to address environmental challenges in their work.
The organisers said the training is expected to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and support more effective forest governance, contributing to long-term biodiversity protection and sustainable economic activities linked to forestry.
