Across Nigeria’s rivers, rainforests, grasslands, and skies, a quiet crisis is emerging, and most people don’t even notice. There are no headlines, no protests. However, what’s happening is serious: our forests are thinning out, rivers are becoming polluted, and many of our animals, such as elephants, manatees, gorillas, and rare birds, are disappearing.
This isn’t just a problem for the animals. It’s a problem for us too.
Nigeria is blessed with a rich and beautiful natural environment. We have amazing creatures that exist nowhere else in the world, like the gentle manatees gliding through the Niger Delta, or the shy Cross River gorillas in the highlands. These animals are special, not just because they’re rare, but because they play a crucial role in maintaining our environment’s health.
Sadly, many of them are in danger. And if we lose them, we lose more than just wildlife; we lose part of who we are, and part of what keeps our land and water safe and alive.
That’s why this article series was created.
In the coming stories, we’ll take you on a journey into Nigeria’s wild places, places most of us never get to see. We’ll introduce you to animals whose lives are connected to ours in surprising ways. You’ll learn about monkeys that help protect mangroves, birds that balance nature, and river creatures that clean our waters, all without ever asking for anything in return.
Each of these animals has its own story. Each one faces threats like deforestation, hunting, pollution, and climate change. But there’s also hope, because more and more Nigerians are stepping up to protect them.
This is a story of courage and care, of local people, students, and young activists choosing to stand up for the natural world. They’re not using violence or anger. They’re using knowledge, love for the land, and the power of speaking out.
We’re not here to scare you or make you feel helpless. We’re here to show you why this matters and how you can be part of the solution because protecting Nigeria’s wildlife also means safeguarding clean water, healthy forests, safe weather, tourism, jobs, culture, and national pride.
So let’s begin this journey together.
Let’s hear the stories of these animals and speak up for them, before it’s too late.
