The growing dependence on forests for multifarious purposes suggests the need for the formulation and/or enforcement of institutions that regulate access and use of these natural resources, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, rapid institutional transformation is witnessed in this region, as revealed by qualitative evidence. The dearth of quantitative evidence on this subject further validates the need for the application of more robust analytical approaches to uncover the pattern of forest use as a function of institutional change pathways. We contribute to provide this evidence, taking the case of the Bakossi forest landscape of Cameroon. Specifically, we (1) identify and characterize the structural and functional attributes of forest-based institutions, and (2) estimate forest resource use (NTFPs) as function of the structural and functional change attributes. A representative sample of 116 forest-dependent households drawn from 3 selected communities was performed, complemented by focus group discussion (n = 6) and key informant interviews (n = 10). A heteroscedasticity-based instrumental variable approach was employed in the analysis, corroborated with thematic analysis and narratives. The results reveal that more that 70 % of household reported traditional council and secret society as key forest-linked institutional structures. Additionally, 99 % attest to the endogenous nature of traditional council and cultural groups, while 1 % attributed them to migrants and civil society. The study also reveals a negative and significant effect of the functional attributes of institutions on the harvesting of both wood and vegetal based NTFPs. Based on the analysis, we derive the following conclusions: Firstly, traditional councils and secret societies play key roles as forest-linked institutional structures, albeit differentially, with VFMCs playing insignificant roles. Youth groups remain fairly non-existent, signaling bleak prospects for forest institutions. Secondly forest-based institutional structures and processes assume a largely endogenous pattern. Thirdly, key structures (e.g. traditional councils and secret societies) have remained fairly intact while processes have not multiplied. Fourth, a negative and significant effect of structural and functional attributes of institutions was observed for wood-based, vegetal based and seed-based NTFPs, while engagement in non-farming reduces forest resource use. Finally, a unit increase in the functional attributes of the institutional structure index causes a significant decline in the harvesting of all categories of NTFPs. Policy reforms should leverage these institutions in view of strongly capturing them in the revised Forestry and Wildlife Law of Cameroon.