Dedicated to the Forests of Nigeria
GADEF bridges scientific research with local community action to revive southwest Nigeria's endangered wood species and secure rural livelihoods.
Rooted in Southwest Nigeria
Southwestern Nigeria was once covered by lush tropical rainforests containing premium hardwoods, valuable medicinal barks, and rich local biodiversity. However, decades of uncontrolled logging, agricultural encroachment, and urban sprawl have decimated native timber resources.
The Green to Abundance Development and Empowerment Foundation (GADEF) was founded to combat this loss. Headquartered in Ado-Ekiti, we realized that conventional reforestation programs failed because they ignored two crucial elements: the scientific preservation of native, indigenous species, and the economic livelihoods of the people living near these forests.
By linking arms with local contractual farmers (providing them with seed collection wages and nursery tools) and academic institutions like Ekiti State University (EKSU) and the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), we have developed a community led model that works.
Our Journey
GADEF founded on August 14th in Ado-Ekiti to address rapid native timber species loss.
First community nurseries established with 10 contractual farmers.
Formal partnerships signed with EKSU Department of Forestry and FUTA.
Raised 50,000+ indigenous trees and launched the Memorial Arboretum.
Successfully germinated and cataloged 3,017+ native seeds.
The Team Behind the Roots
Our team brings together decades of academic research, community leadership, and logistical expertise to ensure every project makes an impact.
Management & Operations
Mr. Olubunmi Olatilu
Executive Director & Co-founderCo-founder of GADEF. Leading community-driven conservation, forest landscape restoration, and rural livelihood empowerment initiatives across southwest Nigeria.
Mr. Tope Faboya
Co-founder & SecretaryCo-founder of GADEF. Oversees organizational administration, strategic collaborations with research institutions, policy compliance, and resource coordination.
Ms. Faith Eriaremhien
Senior Programme OfficerCoordinates day-to-day nursery site logistics, educational workshops, student placement training, and local community outreach projects.
Mr. Ayodele Adeyemo
Technical OfficerLeads silvicultural protocols, seedling health assessments, and coordinates field-level technical operations at restoration sites.
Mr. Oladayo Omotayo
Field OfficerSupports direct community coordination, site maintenance, and seedling distribution monitoring across project areas.
Mrs. Adeola Oluwafemi
Grant OfficerManages fundraising proposals, coordinates donor reporting, and tracks grant compliance and funding structures.
Mr. Opeyemi Olaoye
AccountantResponsible for GADEF's financial planning, budget audits, nursery disbursement tracking, and CAC compliant accounting.
Board of Trustees & Advisory
Dr. Olly Owen
Board of Trustees & Principal AdvisorAcademic advisor and trustee guide. Providing strategic international partnership support, policy counsel, and research alignment.
Prof. Arowosoge
Board of TrusteesProfessor in Forestry. Guides academic syllabus integration, nursery research parameters, and technical seedling reviews.
Prof. Awotoye
Board of TrusteesProfessor in Environmental Management. Directs scientific oversight for restoration mapping, ecological metrics, and carbon capture goals.
Compliance & Accountability
GADEF operates under strict corporate governance guidelines. We are registered in Nigeria as an Incorporated Trustee under the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
We publish detailed annual activity and financial summaries, ensuring that 85% of all funds directly reach local contractual farmers, seeds collection campaigns, and university restoration site setup.
Incorporated Trustee
Verifiable Audit Logs
Transparency Directory
For complete physical documentation checks, visit our Ado-Ekiti central coordination office or email gadefekiti@gmail.com.
