Youth Participation in Forestry Education in Nigeria

Abstract

Forest contributes immensely to the socio-economic well-being of man especially in the developing world while the role of forestry education is critical to national development and multifaceted to the foresters, technologist and artisans. Due to constant changes and technological advancement, forestry education must be repositioned to be more adaptable, flexible and evolving to meet the present contemporary challenges in student’s enrolment to the present 20 Universities and 7 Colleges offering forestry and allied course in Nigeria. This paper examined the participation of youth in forestry education towards achieving developmental and sustainability issues of forest future in Nigeria. This investigation, therefore, concluded that there is urgent attention for mass enlightenment and sensitization on forestry education and their benefits. It’s important also for forestry education to be rebranded to make it more attractive, encouraging and interesting to the student, boosting enrollment and future career options. Curricula of forestry courses need to be urgently reviewed in secondary schools and new methodology should be introduced into the curriculum. The government should ensure adequate support and funding, forestry teachers should further undergo both formal and informal training to enhance effective teaching and practical delivery. Forestry education should, therefore, a metamorphosis from the present theory-based learning process to practical oriented training.