Title: The Nigerian Mangroves: A Systematic Review
Authors: +Bubu-Davies, O.A. and Abiley, D.
Volume: 10
Issue: 7
Pages: 58-65
Publication Date: 2026/07/28
Abstract:
Nigerian mangroves, concentrated predominantly in the Niger Delta, constitute the largest mangrove ecosystem in Africa and the third largest in the world. This systematic review synthesises evidence from peer-reviewed literature and institutional reports to examine the ecology, biodiversity, ecosystem services, anthropogenic threats, and conservation and restoration strategies pertaining to Nigerian mangroves. The dominant species: Rhizophora racemosa, Avicennia germinans, Laguncularia racemosa and Conocarpus erectus exhibit distinct zonation patterns shaped by soil type, tidal influence, salinity, and nutrient gradients. Mangroves in Nigeria provide a wide range of ecosystem services including blue carbon sequestration, coastal protection, nursery habitat for fish, and support for the livelihoods of millions of coastal inhabitants. However, these ecosystems are under severe and multifaceted threat: oil exploration and recurrent spills since the 1950s have contaminated soil and water across the delta, deforestation for fuelwood and urban expansion continues unabated, and the invasive Nypa palm (Nypa fruticans) has displaced native mangroves at alarming rates. Remote sensing data indicate a mangrove mortality rate of approximately 5,644 hectares per year between 2016 and 2024. Conservation and restoration efforts - including community-led planting programmes, the $1 billion government-initiated Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), and NGO-driven interventions - show promise but remain constrained by governance deficits, funding gaps, and inadequate monitoring. The review concludes with recommendations for integrated, policy-driven conservation frameworks and highlights critical gaps warranting future research.