Climate Change in Nigeria: Species Facing Extinction

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. In Nigeria, it has become a silent force reshaping forests, drying wetlands, and displacing wildlife.

While poaching and deforestation remain challenges, climate change is now accelerating biodiversity loss at an unprecedented rate. Over 1,500 plant and animal species in Nigeria are already at risk of extinction.

This article explores how climate change is impacting Nigeria’s biodiversity, the species most affected, and what can be done to protect them.

Impact of Climate Change on Nigeria’s Biodiversity

Across Nigeria, ecosystems are changing faster than species can adapt. Forests are becoming drier, wetlands are shrinking, and rivers that once flowed year-round are drying up earlier each year.

Rising temperatures and unpredictable rainfall are reshaping entire habitats, leaving animals and plants struggling to survive.

• In the north, desert-like conditions are creeping south, turning fertile land into dry, cracked soil.

• In the south, coastlines are breaking down as saltwater from the Atlantic seeps into rivers, streams, and farmland.

This is where climate change and biodiversity in Nigeria intersect: as habitats disappear, the species that depend on them are pushed toward extinction.

Endangered Species in Nigeria Affected by Climate Change

The impacts of climate change on wildlife are no longer subtle. Some of Nigeria’s rarest species are already struggling to survive as their food sources vanish and their habitats collapse.

1. Cross River Gorilla

Africa’s rarest gorilla, found only in Cross River and Taraba states, is facing extinction. Rising temperatures are drying forests and reducing food sources like fruits and leaves. Fewer trees also mean fewer nesting sites, forcing the gorillas into smaller and more vulnerable areas.

2. Nigerian-Cameroon Chimpanzee

This subspecies, found mainly in the southeast, is losing habitat due to logging, farming, and changing rainfall patterns. Once-heavy rains that supported their forests are now unpredictable, leading to water scarcity and fewer food trees.

3. West African Giraffe and Lions in Northern Nigeria

In northern Nigeria, desertification is shrinking grazing land. Giraffes have less vegetation to feed on, while lions struggle to find prey as herbivores migrate south. Hotter conditions are making the north increasingly unlivable.

4. Amphibians and Freshwater Fish in the Niger Delta

In coastal states like Bayelsa and Rivers, saltwater intrusion is turning freshwater habitats brackish. Frogs, freshwater fish, and wetland birds are disappearing as they cannot adapt to the sudden habitat changes.

Why Nigeria’s Biodiversity Is at Greater Risk

Climate change is a global problem, but in Nigeria, human activities magnify the crisis.

Deforestation Weakens Ecosystems

Forests are cleared for farming, logging, and charcoal production. Without them, the land loses its natural defense against floods and droughts. Animals lose both shelter and food, pushing ecosystems closer to collapse.

Overfishing and Wetland Destruction

In the Niger Delta, wetlands are being drained, and rivers are blocked for agriculture and industry. Fish populations are plummeting, and amphibians are losing breeding grounds. Saltwater intrusion only worsens the crisis.

Disrupted Rainfall Cycles

Many species in Nigeria depend on predictable rainy seasons for breeding and feeding. Birds migrate with the rains, insects hatch with food availability, and frogs lay eggs in pools. Climate change is breaking these natural cycles, disrupting entire food chains.

Rapid Desertification

According to the Great Green Wall Africa Initiative, desertification now affects over 35% of Nigeria’s land. Grasslands are turning into barren soil, leaving both wildlife and communities without resources.

Restoration Efforts in Nigeria Against Climate Change

Restoration is one of the last hopes for slowing biodiversity loss in Nigeria, but it’s not enough on its own.  Across the country, conservation groups are planting trees, restoring wetlands, and rebuilding damaged ecosystems. Still, climate change makes these efforts harder.

In southern Nigeria, forest restoration projects in places like Cross River State aim to slow habitat loss and protect endangered species. But drier conditions and unpredictable rainfall are making it harder for new forests to grow. In the north, the Great Green Wall project is planting trees to slow desertification in Nigeria. 

This helps restore lost grazing land and gives wildlife a chance to return. However, the truth remains that climate change and Nigeria’s biodiversity are too closely intertwined for restoration to be effective alone.  Without stronger protection of existing ecosystems, Nigeria’s wildlife will continue to disappear.

Nigeria’s Government Response to Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

The Nigerian government has launched the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to slow biodiversity loss and improve conservation. Programs such as REDD+ also aim to reduce deforestation while promoting sustainable forest management.

Protected areas are being expanded in states like Cross River and Bayelsa, and new rangers are being trained to protect vulnerable habitats.

However, weak enforcement and limited funding continue to undermine progress. Without stronger investment, Nigeria’s biodiversity will remain under severe threat.

What Can You Do to Protect Nigeria’s Biodiversity?

Protecting biodiversity is not just the job of governments and NGOs. Small individual actions can help:

• Support local eco-friendly businesses.

• Reduce waste and avoid products linked to deforestation.

• Visit national parks and pay conservation fees to support wildlife protection.

• Share facts about climate change and biodiversity to raise awareness.

Even small actions, when multiplied, can make a big difference.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Climate Change and Biodiversity in Nigeria

How does climate change impact biodiversity in Nigeria?

Climate change alters habitats, disrupts food sources, and forces species to migrate or face extinction. Forests are drying, wetlands are shrinking, and many species are losing their homes.

How is Nigeria affected by climate change?

Nigeria is facing rising temperatures, desertification in the north, flooding in coastal areas, and unpredictable rainfall. These changes harm farming, water supply, and wildlife.

What are the main causes of biodiversity loss in Nigeria?

The causes include deforestation, overfishing, pollution, and habitat destruction. Climate change now amplifies all these pressures, pushing many species toward extinction.

What is the current status of biodiversity in Nigeria?

Nigeria’s biodiversity is under critical threat. Over 1,500 plant and animal species are at risk due to habitat loss, climate change, and weak conservation enforcement.

Conclusion: Climate Change and Nigeria’s Biodiversity – A Cry From the Wild

In Nigeria, climate change is not just altering weather patterns; it is reshaping entire ecosystems. Forests are drying, wetlands are disappearing, and wildlife is running out of places to live.

From Cross River gorillas to freshwater fish in the Niger Delta, species are being pushed closer to extinction. Restoration projects and conservation programs are vital, but without stronger action, they will not be enough.

Protecting biodiversity is about more than saving wildlife. It is about safeguarding food security, clean water, and the survival of future generations in Nigeria.