The Federal Ministry of Environment through its Project, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has restored 560 hectares of oil-degraded mangrove forests in Ogoniland, with another 438 hectares currently undergoing rehabilitation across seven communities.

The Project Coordinator, Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, disclosed this as the world marked the 2026 International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.

Zabbey said the first phase of the restoration recorded over 90 per cent survival of mangrove seedlings and saplings after two years, while monitoring had shown the return of several aquatic species to previously degraded areas.

The second phase covers Bomu, Lewe, Kpor, K-Dere, Bodo, Goi and Gbe communities.

According to HYPREP, a two-year post-restoration fish assessment recorded improved fish diversity, with the return of crabs, periwinkles, oysters, shrimps, mudskippers, gobies and other fish species to rehabilitated tidal creeks.

The project also said it was removing invasive nipa palms from restoration zones while combining scientific methods with traditional knowledge to strengthen community-led conservation.

Zabbey said more than 160 women and youths, known as Mangrove Vanguards, had been trained to establish community nurseries and produce seedlings, while 1,380 community workers had earned income from activities including mangrove planting, maintenance, nipa palm removal and environmental monitoring.

He said the project had also distributed 200 low-biomass cookstoves to reduce dependence on mangrove wood for household energy and introduced eco-friendly Growcoon nursery bags as an alternative to single-use plastics.

HYPREP said the restoration supports Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0) by increasing carbon sequestration and strengthening climate resilience.

It also highlighted the designation of the Ogoni Mangrove Wetland as a Ramsar Site of International Importance, describing the recognition as a major step towards long-term protection of the ecosystem and potential ecotourism investment.

Zabbey called for sustained collaboration among governments, development partners, researchers, civil society organisations and local communities to protect the restored wetlands.

He said sustainable mangrove conservation was critical not only to biodiversity but also to the livelihoods, food security and climate resilience of Niger Delta communities.