Abstract

This study examines forest resources exploitation and its implications for rural households in Ayetoro, Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Nigeria. This study involved a sample size of 100 rural households selected from Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Purposive sampling was employed to choose five communities viz; Ayetoro, Ijoun, Sawonjo, Ibooro, and Igan-Okoto. Data obtained were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Z-test, and students T- test for inferential statistics at α0.05. Findings reveal that forest resources exploitation positively impacts rural household socio-economic well-being by providing essential resources like food and fuel. However, it also leads to adverse consequences such as decreased incomes and increased poverty. Challenges include deforestation for agriculture and urbanization, as well as construction activities for residential, recreational, and industrial development.