Biodiversity and Poverty Alleviation in Nigeria

Abstract

Biodiversity provides essential services like provision of food, medicine, pest and disease control, pollination, protection from natural hazards, regulation of climate and air quality, nutrient recycling, cultural and aesthetic values and source of income. Due to the neglect of agriculture, there is massive poverty in Nigeria. Conservation of biodiversity would alleviate poverty through sustainable agriculture. In order to conserve biodiversity while reducing poverty and increasing human well-being and development to achieve MDGs, biodiversity must become part of government development policies.