Tree Cover Loss in Nigeria
Nigeria: Tree Cover Loss was 118,263 hectares in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Tree Cover Loss in Nigeria, 2001–2025
Source: Global Forest Watch. Tree Cover Loss (Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA). Measured in hectares.
Analysis
The most recent figure for tree cover loss in Nigeria is 118,263 hectares, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11.9% on the previous year and up 189.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, tree cover loss in Nigeria peaked at 171,046 hectares in 2017 and was at its lowest, 13,280 hectares, in 2005.
That places Nigeria 31st out of 189 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 24,504 hectares | 13,280 hectares | 43,386 hectares | 9 |
| 2010s | 72,460 hectares | 32,782 hectares | 171,046 hectares | 10 |
| 2020s | 101,959 hectares | 85,267 hectares | 118,263 hectares | 6 |
Countries ranked near Nigeria
More agriculture & rural data for Nigeria
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 66.82 billion current US$ (2025)
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, value added 23.0% (2025)
- Rural population 86.04 million (2025)
- Rural population growth -0.1% (2025)
- Rural population 36.2% (2025)
- Agricultural raw materials imports 0.6% (2024)
- Agricultural raw materials exports 0.4% (2024)
- Value added in the agricultural sector as of gdp vs gdp per capita 22.98 (2025)
- Agriculture share gdp 22.98 (2025)
- Land under cereal production 18.28 million hectares (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is tree cover loss in Nigeria?
- Tree cover loss in Nigeria was 118,263 hectares in 2025, according to Global Forest Watch. Tree Cover Loss (Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA).
- What is the highest tree cover loss recorded in Nigeria?
- The highest recorded value was 171,046 hectares in 2017.
- What is the lowest tree cover loss recorded in Nigeria?
- The lowest recorded value was 13,280 hectares in 2005.
- How does Nigeria rank for tree cover loss?
- Nigeria ranks 31st out of 189 countries with data for 2025.
- Is tree cover loss rising or falling in Nigeria?
- Over the last ten years it is up 189.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nigeria data come from?
- The figures come from Global Forest Watch. Tree Cover Loss (Hansen/UMD/Google/USGS/NASA), published as part of Tree Cover Loss (hectares). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 25 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data).
About this data
Shows year-by-year tree cover loss, defined as stand level replacement of vegetation greater than 5 meters, within the selected area. The tree cover loss data set is a collaboration of the University of Maryland, Google, USGS, and NASA, and uses Landsat satellite images to map annual tree cover loss at a 30 × 30 meter resolution. Note that “tree cover loss” is not the same as “deforestation” – tree cover loss includes change in both natural and planted forest, and does not need to be human caused. The data from 2011 onward were produced with an updated methodology that may capture additional loss. Comparisons between the original 2001-2010 data and future years should be performed with caution.