Niger-Delta Stakeholders Move To  Protect-Restore Region’s Mangroves 

Stakeholders in the Environmental sector in Niger Delta region have convened to brainstormed towards ensuring sustainable mangrove conservation and protection.

The meeting held in Calabar, Southern Nigeria is to identify ways of restoring, conserving, and protecting the nation’s mangrove ecosystems.

In her welcoming remarks, the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change and DG, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat NCCCS, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, says the Town Hall meeting is vital for stakeholders to discuss the next steps for sustainable mangrove conservation and protection in Nigeria.

She stated, “As part of the World Wetlands Day and further to the 2025 theme of Amplifying Nature-Based Climate Solutions, the NCCCS is convening this Stakeholder Town Hall Meeting in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation and the Climate Change Council of Cross Rivers State.”

“A key output from this meeting is the National Roadmap on Mangrove Restoration, Conservation, and Protection. This Roadmap is expected to align with the ongoing NDC 3.0 review and indicates clear avenues to drive finance for mangrove conservation and protection in Nigeria.

The NCCCS Boss stressed that the secretariat is developing a roadmap for the restoration of Nigeria’s essential mangrove forest, a robust initiative targeted to span 2025 to 2035.”

According to her, “Despite existing forest policies, the AFOLU component of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and progress in developing a National Adaptation Plan (NAP), we still lack a dedicated national strategy for mangrove conservation, particularly in the context of accessing forest finance.” 

She also noted that Nigeria’s mangrove forest is indicated as the largest in Africa and third largest in the world, covering approximately 5% of the global mangrove forest.

Dr. Maduekwe emphasized the important role of sub-national governments in executing policies and facilitating effective actions.

“In line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the National Council on Climate Change Secretariat, of which Mr. President is the Chairman of the Council, will continue to play its role as a coordinating and regulatory entity, ensuring that policies and financial mechanisms support long-term sustainability.

“Furthermore, this meeting should serve as a catalyst for mangrove-rich states to establish investment-grade forest carbon projects. As we deliberate, let us carefully consider the essential building blocks of forest finance,” Maduekwe noted.

She commended the efforts of Cross River State in adopting the Climate Change Act, adding that the legislative framework positions the state to harness climate finance opportunities geared towards adaptation and ecosystem-hand solutions.

The Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, said for decades, the state has led in environmental conservation with over 53,000 hectares of degraded mangroves primed for restoration.

Otu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Oden Ewa, disclosed that the state is actively engaging investors and development partners to capitalise on carbon emission opportunities, a significant milestone that was reached at the COP28 with the national department of climate change.

Commissioners for Environment from the five Niger Delta states (Abia, Bayelsa , Cross River, Delta and Rivers) unanimously requested the Federal Government to consider the implementation of national carbon framework within three months and authorise the development of the National Carbon Registry within the six months, leveraging on the regions and international partners expertise.

Participants also highlighted the need of safeguarding the Nigeria mangrove forest that is occupying 10,500-kilometre square, which is already threatened by illegal man-made activities particularly in the Niger Delta Region.

The stakeholders Town Hall Meeting on Mangrove Restoration, Conservation and Protection with the theme “Amplifying Nature-Based Climate Solutions” was held in collaboration with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the Climate Change Council, Cross Rivers State.