The Biodiversity Preservation Center Uyo (BPC) has called for urgent conservation actions to protect Nigeria’s rich biodiversity, particularly medicinal and aromatic plants, as the world marks World Wildlife Day 2026.

In a statement issued on the occasion, the Executive Director of the centre, Prof. Edem Eniang, said the 2026 theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” highlights the need to safeguard plant resources that support public health, livelihoods, and cultural heritage.

According to him, Nigeria, particularly Akwa Ibom stateis endowed with some of the richest medicinal and aromatic plant biodiversity in Africa, but these natural resources are increasingly under threat.

Prof. Eniang noted that wildlife resources, especially medicinal plants, can sustainably support community health, food security, economic development, climate resilience and public health when properly managed within healthy ecosystems.

He, however, lamented that biodiversity across Nigeria faces growing threats from habitat destruction, pollution, unsustainable exploitation, climate change and poorly guided development policies.

“The time has come for all stakeholders to join BPC in conserving and promoting medicinal and aromatic plant species and their associated indigenous knowledge and culture. These resources are vital for protecting our health, preserving our heritage and sustaining both urban and rural livelihoods,” he said.

The centre also warned that the state’s remaining forest patches, mangrove ecosystems, forest reserves and coastal habitats are under persistent pressure.

It therefore urged governments at all levels and corporate organisations to ensure that development activities comply with conservation principles, particularly the guidelines of the Convention on Biological Diversity, to which Nigeria is a signatory.

BPC further called on authorities, private sector actors, communities and civil society groups to strengthen collaboration and enforce international environmental agreements like the Convention on Migratory Species and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

The organisation also advocated greater investment in sustainable resource management, conservation of endemic species and the promotion of ecotourism.

“Wildlife and habitat conservation is not optional; it is essential for sustainable development,” Eniang said, adding that the centre’s “One Health Initiative” seeks to promote conservation education, research, advocacy and community engagement to safeguard biodiversity in Akwa Ibom and beyond.