Contribution of indigenous forest food species to rural livelihoods in communities surrounding Onigambari forest reserve, Oyo State, Nigeria

Indigenous forest food species are vital to rural livelihoods in forest-dependent communities, yet their economic roles remain insufficiently documented in Nigeria. This study assessed their contribution to rural livelihoods in communities surrounding the Onigambari Forest Reserve, Oyo State. A cross-sectional design integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches was employed. Data were collected from 120 households using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and field observations, and analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results show that forest food species contribute substantially to household income, with Irvingia gabonensis, honey, and Garcinia kola as major income sources. Seasonal availability supports year-round livelihoods, while products such as mushrooms, snails, and leafy vegetables provide regular income streams. Market participation is widespread; however, limited engagement in value addition persists despite its potential to increase income by up to 32%. Livelihood dependence is high, with 41.7% of households deriving at least 40% of their annual income from forest foods. Key constraints include forest degradation, limited market access, inadequate processing technologies, and seasonal scarcity. Despite these challenges, forest food species remain central to household resilience. Strengthening value addition, market access, and sustainable forest management is essential to enhance their contribution to rural livelihoods.