FAQ · Environment & Climate 29

Nigeria contains various protected areas within its borders. The country features several national parks that are part of its environmental landscape. These areas are listed alongside other geographical features like ecoregions and wildlife. Information regarding these protected zones is part of the nation's environmental profile. Visitors can find details about these locations through official geographical records.

The Ise Forest Reserve in Ekiti State is a priority conservation area for the endangered Nigeria-Cameroun chimpanzees. This reserve serves as the primary and most frequently recorded habitat for these chimpanzees in southwest Nigeria. However, the forest environment is currently degrading due to intense human activities like farming, logging, and hunting. While these animals are found in many forested areas of the Nigeria region, they have gone extinct locally in many areas over recent decades. Protecting these forest fragments is essential because large-scale deforestation combined with hunting can have terminal effects on wildlife populations.

The wildlife of Nigeria includes a wide variety of flora and fauna. The country features diverse habitats ranging from tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps to savanna with scattered clumps of trees. Approximately 290 mammal species and 940 bird species have been recorded within the nation. These animals live across various landscapes, including large plateaus and extensive river networks. This biological diversity is supported by the country's unique geographical features.

The vegetation in Nigeria varies significantly by region. The most southerly part consists of salt water or mangrove swamps where mangroves are the primary vegetation. Moving north, you will find fresh water swamps with species like the raffia palm, followed by a rainforest zone. Further north, the landscape transitions into savanna with scattered groups of trees. About half of the country is classified as Guinea savanna, which features low trees and tall grasses. These areas often include strips of gallery forest along watercourses.

Mangrove forests play a vital role in helping coastal areas adapt to the effects of climate change. These ecosystems help prevent shoreline erosion and provide protection against storms and sea-level rise. They also maintain coastal water quality and serve as habitats for various fish and invertebrates. Additionally, mangroves help shield adjacent marine ecosystems like coral reefs from land-based pollution. Protecting these forests is essential because their destruction releases substantial stored carbon into the atmosphere.

Deforestation in Nigeria is driven by various factors including poverty, land use conflicts, and encroachment by herders. Many individuals clear forests for immediate food needs, while others do so for financial gains, leading to conflicts over forest value. This process harms the environment by increasing carbon emissions and exacerbating climate change. It also leads to soil erosion, which reduces agricultural productivity and causes soil loss. Furthermore, the reduction in wood supply poses significant risks to the paper industry due to potential cost increases and quality degradation.

Nigeria ratified the Paris Agreement in 2017 and pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2030 with international support. The country also signed the climate change bill into law in November 2021 to demonstrate its commitment to climate action. Efforts include attempting to eliminate gas flaring by 2030 and implementing a National Forest Policy. Initiatives like the Great Green Wall and climate-smart agriculture are being used to combat desertification and food shortages. Furthermore, the government aims to promote planned human settlements to reduce risks from urbanization in flood plains and coastal areas.

Renewable energy is one of the environmental topics associated with Nigeria. The country's geography and environment include various categories such as ecoregions and protected areas. Information regarding renewable energy in Nigeria is part of the broader environmental context of the nation. This topic is listed alongside other environmental issues and natural features. It is a relevant subject for those studying the country's environmental landscape.

Nigeria's greenhouse gas emissions are primarily generated from oil and gas production, land-use change, forestry, agriculture, and fugitive emissions. The transportation sector is a major contributor, accounting for 28% of emissions in 2021 due to the combustion of fossil fuels like gasoline and diesel. Electricity production makes up 25% of emissions, while the industrial sector is responsible for 23%. Additionally, the commercial and residential sectors contribute 13%, and agriculture accounts for 10% of the total. Managed forests have acted as a net sink for emissions since 1990, offsetting 12% of the total.

Adesuwa Obasuyi is an environmentalist and climate change advocate who focuses on these issues. She is the initiator of the Sustainable Africa Cities and Communities Initiative, which is an environmental non-governmental organization. This organization focuses on waste and waste data management in Nigeria and Africa. She also previously served as an Operations Manager at the Sustainable Africa Waste Initiative. Her work contributes to environmental efforts within the country.

Yes, there is local production of plastic parts within the Nigerian automotive sector. Nord Automobiles Ltd currently manufactures its own plastic parts at its assembly plant. This facility is located in Sangotedo. The company also has plans to add steel stamping to its operations in the future. This shows that some vehicle components are being produced domestically.

Groundwater pollution in Nigeria is often linked to human activities such as industry, agriculture, and domestic waste. These issues are particularly common in shallow aquifers that have little protection from surface activities. Natural quality issues also occur, including high salinity in shallow alluvial aquifers. Additionally, confined aquifers with low dissolved oxygen can show high concentrations of manganese and iron. Several transboundary aquifers are also shared between Nigeria and neighboring countries.

Soil erosion is the most common geo-environmental hazard in Imo State, featuring over 360 erosion sites. Many of these are gully erosion found in areas such as Ideato, Orlu, and Njaba. These gullies are mainly attributed to sand mining and poor civil engineering works during road and gutter construction. The resulting erosion has caused the loss of farmlands, road paths, and social infrastructures like electricity and water pipes. Additionally, intense runoffs from these sites have caused surface water and stream pollution in several communities.

A wildfire is a type of fire outbreak that occurs in wildland areas and is driven primarily by natural forces. These fires can be ignited by natural factors such as lightning strikes or volcanic eruptions. Other natural conditions like high winds or drought can also cause wildfires to spread. These events are considered natural disasters because they can cause significant damage to ecosystems and property. Furthermore, wildfires pose serious threats to human life.

Nigeria has historically experienced relatively low and infrequent seismic activity. While it was once believed the country was entirely immune to seismic hazards, recent seismic events and tremors have challenged this belief. Most recorded earthquakes in Nigeria have been of small to medium magnitudes, though some medium to large magnitude events have been documented. This activity is attributed to the country's geological setting within the mobile belt of Africa. Many past incidents likely went unrecorded due to a lack of adequate seismic monitoring equipment.

The flooding began on 28 May 2025 following several hours of torrential rainfall and was worsened by a dam collapse in a nearby town. The Tiffin Maza and Auguwan Hausawa districts of Mokwa were the worst affected areas. This disaster destroyed over 4,000 houses and critical infrastructure, including the Mokwa bridge and several roads. The floods resulted in 500 confirmed deaths and left thousands of residents displaced. Displaced people now face rising health risks from malnutrition, cholera, and typhoid fever.

Drought is a phenomenon that impacts the entire nation, though arid and semi-arid regions are more sensitive than the south. This long-term issue has resulted in desertification and a shortage of land for growing crops and raising cattle. To find new land for farming or grazing, people are encouraged to move to new areas, which frequently leads to violent fights between herders and farmers. These conflicts have caused many deaths, including more than 2,000 people in 2018. Such challenges for farmers and food transporters could potentially hinder national food security.

Areas around the coastal regions in Nigeria are at risk of rising sea level. For example, the Niger Delta area is extremely vulnerable to flooding due to this risk. This region is also a victim of extreme oil pollution. Climate change was the reason behind the flood that took place in Southern Nigeria in 2012. Such flooding can be responsible for the loss of houses, farms, farm produce, properties and lives.

Deforestation in Nigeria leads to the loss of numerous plant and animal species. When forests are cleared, many species lose their habitats and face the risk of extinction. This removal of trees can disrupt the delicate relationships between plants, animals, and microorganisms within ecosystems. Additionally, the loss of these biodiverse areas impacts the balance of the natural environment. Reforestation can help restore biodiversity by providing habitats for a wide range of species.

Yes, there was a contract scandal involving the clearing of invasive plant species in Yobe State. In 2016, a Senate ad hoc committee indicted the then secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal. The indictment involved an N200 million contract awarded to Rholavision Nigeria Limited, a company owned by him. Following an investigation by a three-man panel, President Buhari sacked Lawal on October 30, 2017.

The commercialization of bushmeat hunting has had a large impact on gorilla populations. Although laws exist to prevent hunting, it persists for local consumption and international trade. This hunting is more intense in the lowlands and has contributed to the concentration of gorillas in the highlands. All hunting of this population is considered unsustainable. Consequently, the Cross River gorilla population declined by 59% between 1995 and 2010. The danger from hunters has also caused these creatures to fear human contact, making sightings rare.

Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing has become a severe problem in the Gulf of Guinea. This type of fishing depletes fish stocks and causes issues for food security among the local population. It also allows vessels that are not nationally regulated or managed to operate in the region. These activities are linked to organized crimes such as piracy, drug smuggling, and human trafficking. Furthermore, the use of poorly regulated boats can threaten human security due to poor working conditions.

The Lekki Conservation Centre is a 78-hectare Natural Resource Conservation reserve located in Lekki, Lagos State. It was established in 1990 by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to protect the wildlife and mangrove forests of the South-West coastline from urban development. The facility serves as both a biodiversity conservation icon and an environmental education centre. It acts as a reserved sanctuary for the rich flora and fauna found within the Lekki Peninsula. Additionally, the centre helps promote environmental awareness and the sustainable use of natural resources.

One notable organization is Environmental Rights Action, which was founded in Nigeria on January 11, 1993. This advocacy NGO serves as the Nigerian chapter of Friends of the Earth International. The group works to combat environmental human rights issues within the country. Activists like Chima Williams have used such platforms to fight environmental injustice. He has specifically worked to hold multinational companies accountable for pollution in the Niger Delta.

The Millennium Park is the largest public park in Abuja and is located in the Maitama district. A river crosses the park, dividing it into two distinct sides. One side features various types of Nigerian vegetation like savanna and rainforest, along with greenhouses for birds and butterflies. The other side follows a traditional Italian Style Garden Layout focused on scientific knowledge of the environment. Visitors can walk along a white travertine path that features fountains to provide refreshment. This park is a major attraction that connects the Cotton Tree with Aso Rock.

Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing leads to the unsustainable exploitation of resources. This process harms marine ecosystems, including fish stocks and coral reefs. Such activities also cause food and economic insecurity for coastal communities that depend on fish. Furthermore, the fishing activities of foreign vessels act as unfair competitors, leading to unemployment and price distortion. These pressures are bringing Nigeria's fisheries to the risk of collapse.

The Baturiya Wetland is a Ramsar Site located in Jigawa State within the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands complex. It is recognized for its biodiversity and is particularly important for fisheries, floodplain agriculture, and wetland conservation. The site supports various resident and migratory waterbirds and is characterized by marshes, ponds, and seasonally flooded grasslands. This ecosystem is replenished by seasonal flooding from the Hadejia River system and the Kafin Hausa River. It was officially designated as a Wetland of International Importance in April 2008.

Desertification in Nigeria is driven by both natural causes and human activities. Natural factors include climate change, increased drought variability, and poor physical conditions of soil, vegetation, and topography. Human impacts involve the disruption of ecological systems through inappropriate land management and the pressure from a rapidly growing population. Specific activities such as overgrazing, deforestation, bush burning, and poor irrigation practices contribute heavily to the problem. Additionally, the increasing demand for wood extraction for fuel and construction further disrupts the environment.

Water is available in various sizes, including bottles and sachets. Bottled water and soft drinks are considered safe to consume. You can find small bottles for approximately ₦200 and large bottles for ₦400. Sachet water, often called pure water, is sold for ₦30 for one or ₦50 for two. While the plastic bag sachets are cheaper, they are not as pure as brands like Eva or Nestle. Always ensure any water you purchase has a NAFDAC registration printed on the bottle.