The Federal Government has unveiled plans to create a comprehensive roadmap for the conservation and protection of mangroves in Nigeria.
Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, Director General and CEO of the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, announced this during a media briefing in Abuja. She emphasized that the roadmap will define Nigeria’s priorities in mangrove conservation, reforestation, afforestation, and protection. The initiative aligns with the mangrove breakthrough launched at COP27 and the Secretariat’s 2025 theme of enhancing nature-based climate solutions.
Maduekwe, also the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, highlighted that the roadmap will set actionable goals and develop a strategic investment plan for the effective and sustainable implementation of environmental initiatives.
“Mangroves are crucial for livelihoods, coastal resilience, and community well-being,” Maduekwe noted. The initial phase involves technical site visits to nine states in the Niger Delta to assess the mangroves’ status and needs. The outcomes of these visits will inform the roadmap’s development.
A town hall meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, on February 4th will gather environmental commissioners, international partners, and stakeholders to explore financing challenges and opportunities for mangrove conservation. Cross River, the first state to adopt climate change legislation and establish a green economy commission, was chosen for its pioneering efforts.
Maduekwe added that the site visits and town hall meeting are preparatory steps for a symposium in Lagos State in March, focusing on the intersection of arts, climate change, and mangroves, culminating in an art exhibition on March 5th. “We aim to engage all stakeholders in tree planting to combat forest cover reduction, reinforcing nature-based solutions,” she said.
The mangrove breakthrough initiative seeks to secure $4 billion in sustainable finance for conservation efforts. “Nigeria aims to tap into this funding, necessitating a strategic policy document, which the roadmap will provide,” Maduekwe concluded, citing Indonesia’s recent World Bank financing for mangrove conservation as a reference point.
