Created some 72 years ago, the National Forestry School (NFS) of Mbalmayo has undergone several name changes during its evolution. First referred to as centre d’apprentissage Forestier ( CAF ) in its creation in 1949 and having as its first Director Mr MOULE (1949 – 1952), the CAF ( Centre D’apprentissage Forestier) is situated in a part of the forest reserve of Malabo. Formerly, these lands belonged to the big MVOG-NDI family. The main mission of CAF was to train indigenous people who specialized in cartography for forest exploitation. (Photo first promotion of CAF)

In 1952, the Forestry Learning Center became Ecole Technique Forestière (Forestry Technical School) abbreviated as ETF under the leadership of Mr GUISCAFE. The ETF provides training for forestry officers. (Photos main building of ETF & one of the teachers of Forest Botany from the early ETF).

From 1952 to 1960, witnessed the creation of an arboretum extending over an area of ​​7 hectares, a school forest occupying 772 hectares with the creation of two school fish ponds. All of these resulted in the training of forest officers with the help of new pedagogies. (Photo ebony platter from the arboretum). From 1953 to 1956, the school was managed by Mr LALLEMENT then by Mr DEMO from 1956 to 1962.

Under the direction of Mr LEBRETON ( 1962 to 1968), L’ETF acquired the appellation L’EEF ( École des Eaux et forêts ) in 1966 with a new, training of technical forestry agents ( picture of the remains of the l’EEF building).

In 1968, the management of the EFE experienced changes at its head, particularly with the appointment of the first Cameroonian director in the name of Mr MBENG Gustave (1968 – 1970).

From 1970 to 1971, the L’EEF was directed by Mr YON Marcel. A year later, Mr EKO EBONGUE took over as head of the institution (1971 – 1972).

From 1972 to 1976, the EFE was headed by Mr. AMOUGOU Jean Fidèle

Mr KEDI Jean was the Director of the EEF from 1976 to 1978. He ensured the construction and the inauguration of the current buildings of the institution (fruits of cooperation between Cameroon and the Soviet Union). The EEF witnessed a modernised training framework (photos of the inauguration ceremony, electrical engineering room, mechanical section room, technology and wood treatment room, president Ahidjo and M. KEDI, first promotion of technicians trained in the new building and the Director who ensured the transition of the school).

From 1978 to 1983, the EFE again witnessed a change at its head with the arrival of Mr ESSAME Félix. In 1980; the EEF became ENEF (National School of Water and Forests whose primary mission is the training of junior personnel of the forest administration (Technical assistants, technician and senior technician of forestry and wildlife ). (Photo by M. ESSAME Félix who ensured the transition from EEF to ENEF).

From 1983 to 1999, Mr YON Marcel was the second director of the ENEF.

From 1985 to 1996: establishment of forest tree plantations in the school forest followed by reforestation in the school forest following a severe degradation of the preexisting cover in illegal agricultural practices. (Photo plantation Terminalia Superba and Terminalia ivorensis were established in 1986).

From 1986 to 1990, the ENEF professional body was reinforced by two British aid workers. The ENEF has received a large material donation to support the forest inventory course. All these thanks to the cooperation between Great Britain and Cameroon.

Following the 1990 crisis, the ENEF stopped training foresters mainly oriented towards the public sector with the start of training for the majority of civilian foresters. ( Picture, second promotion of civil students of ENEF during the dentrometry practical works in the diospyros crassiflora platter in the arboretum).