Managment, Policy and Problems
Nigeria at a Glance
Nigeria, a West African country covers an area of 923,768 square kilometers. Nigeria is surrounded by Cameroon in the East, Niger republic in the North and Chad in the North Eastern part, and Benin Republic in the west. A big part of Nigeria is low lying and flat, with about 80% of the area below 600m. Highlands that are greater than 1000m are restricted to the Jos Plateau in the north-central region and montane areas in the east. (Anadu and Green, 1990) Nigeria has a 780km long coastline which consists of mangrove swamps. The swamps are followed by Guinea-Congo forests. There is a transition zone from forest to Sahel through the middle of the country. Mosaic and woodland savannah, which occupies four fifths of the land area cover this zone. Lowland rain forest, a mosaic of lowland rain forest, woodland and secondary grassland, Sudanian woodlands, plateau and montane vegetation, Sahel vegetation, herbaceous, swamp and aquatic vegetation, and mangrove are the major vegetation formations in the country, most of which have been extensively modified (UNEP-WCMC, 1988).
In 1876, it was estimated that 60 million ha of total area was under forest. By 1985, this figure had fallen to 9.4 million ha (Nwoboshi, 1986). Further, Anadu and Green (1990) have estimated that Nigeria has lost more than 90% of its primary moist lowland forest. Most rain forests only remain as small isolated reserves (UNEP-WCMC, 1988). Drought-induced desertification in the Sahelian region has been exacerbated by impoundments and agricultural developments, particularly irrigation schemes (UNEP-WCMC, 1988).
The Niger is the largest River and joined by Benue River to form a confluence at Lokoja. Added to these are more than 9,000 Kilometers of navigable inland waterways that lead from the hinterland to the country's seacoast (UNDCP Field office, 1999). The Niger River enters Nigeria in the north-west, and the Benue, flows westwards from Cameroon to join the Niger. This makes up the lower Niger. Africa’s largest coastal wetland, the Niger delta, is formed from the hundreds of Niger inlets that empty into the Atlantic Ocean.
There are 48 species of animals are endangered, 16 species are rare. 30 species of animals are vulnerable. 431 plants are endangered, 45 species vulnerable. There are 422 animals and 305 plants that are endemic (only found in Nigeria).
Threatened Species
Mammal 22
Plant 9
Bird 8
Reptile 3
% of habitat remaining
Forests 20
Grasslands 20
Wetlands 20
Total area protected (ha) 2,971
% of land area protected 3.3
% of protected areas (number)
Over 100,000 ha in size 47.4
Total Species
Mammal 274
Plant 4,614
Bird 894
Reptile 135
Amphibian 109
Freshwater Fish 260
International Context
International treaties
Biodiversity Ratified 1994
Climate Change Ratified 1994
Ozone Protection Ratified 1988
Traffic in Endangered Species Ratified
% of reporting requirement met 80.0
State of the Environment Report X
Biodiversity Action Plan 1991
World Bank environmental loans
(millions $US) 1991-9 X
GEF expenditures (millions $US) X