Kwankwaso visits Presidential Villa but shuns media

|By Adejumo Adekunle

…VP Shettima raises alarm over massive forest loss
…Experts warn deforestation is now an economic emergency

Former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, made a low-profile appearance at the Presidential Villa on Monday, attending the Nigeria Forest Economy Summit 2025 held at the Banquet Hall of the State House.

The summit, convened by the Presidential Committee on Economic and Financial Inclusion (PreCEFI), attracted policymakers and environmental stakeholders to discuss sustainable strategies for forest conservation. Kwankwaso, who governed Kano State for two terms, did not speak at the event and declined interviews with State House correspondents.

Although his presence raised speculation about renewed political engagements, the former NNPP flagbearer maintained silence throughout the event.

In his address at the summit, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered a stark warning about the scale of Nigeria’s deforestation, describing it as an “economic emergency” rather than just an environmental concern.

Shettima, represented by Deputy Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Ibrahim Hadejia, revealed that Nigeria is losing over 400,000 hectares of forest annually, and that more than 90 percent of the country’s original forest cover has been depleted.

According to Shettima, “Deforestation threatens our economic stability, food security, and the livelihoods of millions. It is not merely about trees; it’s about the future of our economy and our people.”

The summit focused on strategies to turn forest preservation into an economic opportunity, encouraging investments in climate-smart agriculture, renewable energy, and green jobs as part of the government’s inclusive growth strategy.

Kwankwaso’s silent appearance has sparked conversations among political watchers, though his intentions remain unclear.