Nigeria, known for its vibrant culture and large population, also has an extraordinary natural heritage. Beyond its bustling cities lies a landscape of remarkable ecological diversity, ranging from humid rainforests to expansive savannas and intricate coastal wetlands. This rich tapestry of environments supports a wide array of wildlife, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Its varied ecosystems, a testament to its unique geography and climate, offer a glimpse into Africa’s natural world.
Major Ecosystems and Geographic Features
Nigeria’s diverse geography creates distinct ecological zones that stretch across the country. Dense, humid lowland rainforests thrive in southern Nigeria, particularly in states like Cross River, Edo, Ondo, Osun, Rivers, Taraba, and Bayelsa. These forests receive 2,000 to 2,500 millimeters of annual rainfall and are characterized by high biodiversity, supporting numerous endemic species.
Moving northward, the landscape transitions into Nigeria’s extensive savanna belt, covering over 86% of the nation’s vegetation. This grassland region is categorized into three types: Guinea, Sudan, and Sahel savannas. The Guinea savanna, in the middle belt, is the most expansive, featuring tall grasses (1-3 meters) and scattered trees (up to 15 meters) and receiving 1000-1500 mm of annual rainfall. Further north, the Sudan savanna experiences higher rainfall variability and frequent droughts, leading to less dense vegetation and poorer soil fertility. The Sahel savanna, in the extreme northwest and northeast, is the driest zone, featuring sparse vegetation with short grasses and thorny trees (4-9 meters tall) and annual rainfall often below 600 millimeters.
Along Nigeria’s southern coastline, particularly within the Niger Delta, lie extensive coastal mangroves. This forms the largest mangrove forest in Africa and the third largest globally, spanning approximately 1 million hectares. This ecosystem is shaped by saline soils and dominated by specialized trees like the red, white, and black mangroves. Additionally, highland areas like the Jos Plateau and Mambilla Plateau introduce cooler climates and distinct vegetation, including patches of montane forests along the border with Cameroon.
Iconic Wildlife Species
Nigeria hosts a remarkable array of wildlife, including some of Africa’s most threatened species. The West African lion, listed as Critically Endangered, has a severely fragmented population across West Africa, with fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining. In Nigeria, isolated groups are small, with estimates suggesting fewer than 30 combined individuals in Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve.
Forest elephants, also classified as Critically Endangered, persist in small, fragmented populations within southern Nigerian forests, such as Okomu National Park and Omo Forest. Nigeria’s total elephant population is estimated at around 400, a number below the 400 to 6,000 individuals typically needed for a viable population.
The Cross River gorilla is the most threatened ape in Africa, with fewer than 300 individuals in the wild. These critically endangered primates inhabit rugged lowland and submontane forests at elevations of 400 to 2,000 meters in a mountainous region across the Nigeria-Cameroon border. In Nigeria, they are found in areas like Afi Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary, the Mbe Mountains, and the Okwangwo Division of Cross River National Park.
The Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee is the most threatened and least studied chimpanzee subspecies, listed as Endangered by the IUCN. Its population, estimated between 3,500 and 9,000 individuals, inhabits rainforests along the Nigeria-Cameroon border. Gashaka Gumti National Park is a stronghold for this subspecies in Nigeria, with an estimated 1,000 chimpanzees.
Nigeria’s birdlife is rich, with over 900 recorded species. Endemic birds, found only in Nigeria, include the Jos Plateau Indigobird, Rock Firefinch, Ibadan Malimbe, and the Anambra waxbill. The Anambra waxbill is a small finch found in the wetter lands of southern Nigeria and Benin, frequenting long grasses along rivers, lagoons, marshes, and swamps. The national bird, the Black Crowned Crane, is also prominent, alongside the African Yellow White-eye and African Fish Eagle.
The Nile crocodile inhabits freshwater bodies across Nigeria, including lakes, rivers, swamps, and estuaries. These large crocodilians prefer forest edges and sandy or rocky areas for basking. Populations in West Africa are now often classified as a distinct species, the West African crocodile.
National Parks and Protected Areas
Nigeria has established a network of national parks and protected areas to safeguard its diverse ecosystems and wildlife.
Yankari National Park
Yankari National Park, in Bauchi state, is a prominent ecotourism destination. Delisted as a national park in 2006, it is now known as Yankari Game Reserve. Spanning 2,244 square kilometers, it features savanna vegetation, grasslands, and river floodplains. Yankari is renowned for hosting Nigeria’s largest surviving elephant population, estimated at over 300 individuals (as of 2005). It also provides habitat for hippopotamuses, crocodiles, baboons, various antelopes, lions, and leopards. The Wikki Warm Springs, with crystal-clear mineral water at 31°C, is a highlight for visitors. The park also contains historical sites like ancient sandstone cisterns and the Marshall Caves, which feature ancient rock paintings.
Cross River National Park (CRNP)
Cross River National Park (CRNP), in Cross River State, is a rainforest biodiversity hotspot. Encompassing about 4,000 square kilometers across its Oban and Okwangwo divisions, it is recognized as one of Africa’s oldest rainforests. It protects endangered species such as the Cross River gorilla, African forest elephants, and drill monkeys, along with 16 other primate species and over 380 bird species. This park plays a role in primate conservation efforts.
Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP)
Gashaka Gumti National Park (GGNP), Nigeria’s largest national park (6,402 to 6,731 square kilometers), is in the eastern provinces of Taraba and Adamawa, bordering Cameroon. This park is a mosaic of savanna grasslands, montane forests, and rugged terrains, and is home to Nigeria’s highest mountain, Chappal Waddi (2,419 meters). GGNP is a stronghold for the critically endangered Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzee, housing the largest known population in the country (estimated around 1,000 individuals). The park also supports a rich avian fauna with over 500 bird species, making it an “Important Bird Area”.
Conservation Challenges and Initiatives
Nigeria’s natural wealth faces threats, primarily from human activities.
Conservation Challenges
Deforestation is a pressing concern, with Nigeria losing an estimated 3.7% of its forest cover annually (approximately 1.14 million hectares between 2001 and 2021). This loss is largely driven by agricultural expansion, accounting for about 60% of tropical forest clearing for cash crops like palm oil and cocoa. Other factors include logging, demand for fuelwood and charcoal, urbanization, and infrastructure development.
Habitat fragmentation, the division of natural environments into smaller, isolated patches, accounts for a significant portion of biodiversity losses. This process, caused by agricultural practices like bush burning, urban expansion, and oil and gas exploration, reduces available habitat, diminishes genetic diversity, and increases species vulnerability to extinction.
Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade further compound these challenges. Nigeria has emerged as a major transit point and hub for the illegal trafficking of species such as pangolins and elephants, driven by demand for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and trophies. This illicit trade often thrives due to corruption, porous borders, and weak law enforcement, with few convictions despite large seizures.
Conservation Initiatives
In response to these threats, various government bodies and non-governmental organizations are actively engaged in conservation efforts. The National Park Service of Nigeria, established in 1991, manages seven national parks. It aims to preserve and protect wild animals and vegetation, working to develop management plans and promote sustainable ecotourism for conservation revenue.
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), a non-governmental organization founded in 1980, is dedicated to nature conservation and sustainable development. NCF’s mission includes preserving Nigeria’s biodiversity, promoting sustainable resource use, and advocating for reduced pollution. Its “Green Recovery Nigeria” (GRN) initiative aims to increase the country’s forest cover to 25% by 2047 through reforestation. These organizations also engage in anti-poaching patrols, community outreach, and the establishment of protected areas to mitigate human-wildlife conflict and foster local stewardship.