The Sustainable Research and Action for Environmental Development (SRADeV Nigeria) has urged governments to strengthen enforcement against activities threatening Nigeria’s rapidly declining mangrove ecosystems.

The organisation made the call in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Leslie Adogame, on Monday in Lagos to commemorate World Mangrove Day.

It said stronger enforcement was critical to reducing flooding and protecting millions of people who depend on coastal ecosystems for their livelihoods.

According to SRADeV, Nigeria has one of Africa’s largest mangrove ecosystems, covering about 504,800 hectares in the Niger Delta and 95,000 hectares in Cross River State.

It added that the country’s mangroves are the third largest globally and provide vital ecological, economic and climate benefits.

The organisation said flooding had become more frequent in coastal communities, disrupting livelihoods, destroying property and placing greater pressure on public infrastructure.

It attributed the trend to the continued degradation of mangrove forests, which naturally protect shorelines against flooding, erosion and storm surges.

SRADeV said mangroves also absorb carbon emissions, conserve biodiversity and support fisheries, tourism and local economies.

It expressed concern that rapid urbanisation, industrial activities, sand dredging and land reclamation were destroying mangrove habitats, especially in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

The organisation added that pollution, fuelwood harvesting, invasive nipa palms and weak enforcement of environmental laws had further accelerated mangrove loss across the Niger Delta.

The organisation described mangrove degradation as one of the greatest environmental challenges confronting Nigeria’s coastal communities.

It said recurrent flooding had become a direct consequence of the continued destruction of mangrove ecosystems.

It urged authorities to prioritise enforcement of environmental regulations protecting wetlands and other coastal ecosystems.

It advocated designating Lagos wetlands under the Ramsar Convention to strengthen legal protection and conservation efforts.

SRADeV also urged governments to deploy technology-driven monitoring systems and strengthen approval processes for dredging and land reclamation activities.

It called for stronger inter-agency collaboration and tougher sanctions against environmental offenders.

The organisation further urged the federal government to finalise and operationalise the National Wetland Policy, which has remained in draft form since 2001.

According to SRADeV, the policy should include clear implementation targets and stronger enforcement mechanisms.

It urged governments, businesses and communities to protect mangrove forests, describing them as essential to flood resilience, food security, economic stability and sustainable coastal development.

(NAN)