Environmental scientists and marine biologists have issued a stark warning that the Niger Delta's mangrove forests — among the largest in the world — are being destroyed at a rate that could trigger an irreversible ecological collapse within two decades if urgent action is not taken.
A new study published by the Niger Delta Environmental Research Institute (NDERI) estimates that over 60% of the region's original mangrove cover has been lost since the 1970s, primarily due to oil spillage, sand mining, deforestation for charcoal production, and urban expansion.
Dr. Ebinimi Alagoa, lead researcher on the study, explained: "Mangroves are not just trees. They are the nurseries of our fisheries, the buffers against storm surges, and the lungs of the Niger Delta coast. When we lose them, we lose everything — fisheries, coastal protection, biodiversity, and ultimately our communities."
Local fishermen in Forcados and Escravos have reported dramatic declines in fish catch over the past decade, which they directly attribute to the degradation of mangrove ecosystems that once served as breeding grounds for shrimp, crayfish, and multiple fish species.
The Federal Ministry of Environment has acknowledged the problem but has been criticised for failing to implement the National Mangrove Restoration Plan, which was adopted in 2019 but has received less than 15% of its required funding allocation.
Civil society organisations are calling for a moratorium on sand mining operations along Niger Delta waterways and mandatory environmental impact assessments for all development projects within five kilometres of mangrove zones.
