The federal government has announced plans to develop a roadmap for conservation and protection of mangroves across Nigeria as part of efforts to promote nature-based solutions to climate change.
Director-General of the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Change, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe, disclosed this during recently in Abuja.
She explained that mangroves play a vital role in protecting coastlines, supporting livelihoods, and addressing climate change.
While explaining the NCCC’s 2025 work plan to journalists, Dr. Maduekwe revealed that technical site visits would begin in nine Niger Delta states, followed by a town hall meeting in Calabar on February 4.
According to her, the meeting will bring together state environment commissioners, international partners, and other stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities for funding mangrove conservation.
She said, “The world has recognized that mangroves are essential for building coastal resilience and improving the lives of local communities.
“This roadmap will help us create a clear plan for conserving our mangroves and attracting the funding we need to do so.
“This is not just about conservation; it’s about getting the community involved. We want people to take ownership of these projects so they can last. We are working with partners like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation to make this happen,” she added.
Dr. Maduekwe highlighted that Nigeria plans to tap into the $4 billion global fund under the Mangrove Breakthrough Initiative launched at COP27.
“Our goal is to secure grants, not loans, for these projects. We want sustainable financing that will benefit Nigerians without adding financial burdens,” she said.
The director general stressed that mangrove conservation is a long-term effort.
“This is not something that will happen in one year or five years. We are looking at a detailed, step-by-step approach to protecting these critical ecosystems for generations to come,” she explained.
