Over the past seven years, our team has had the privilege of exploring some of Nigeria’s most remote yet ecologically significant freshwater ecosystems. These include rare geomorphological and hydrological systems, as well as habitats supporting #vulne #endangered freshwater invertebrates, particularly damselflies, along Nigeria’s border with Cameroon.

Some of the priority sites we have assessed include:
🌿 #OowuWaterfalls (Kwara State)
🌿 #ArintaWaterfalls (Ekiti State)
🌿 #AgbokimWaterfalls (Cross River State)
🌿 #IkogosiWarmSpring (Ekiti State)
🌿 #EkorWaterfalls (Cross River State)
🌿 #ObuduMontane freshwater systems (Cross River State)
🌿 #KwaRiver of #CrossRiverNationalPark

Our findings have been published in reputable international journals, and we have also engaged in public science communication through The Conversation Africa and #conservationeducation of the locals. In addition, we presented these research outcomes to the Conservator-General of the #NationalParkServiceofNigeria.

Across all publications and advocacies, our message has been consistent: Nigeria urgently needs to designate these wetlands as #RamsarSites.

The presence of #threatenedspecies in several of these ecosystems strongly satisfies key Ramsar criteria. Their unique geomorphological and hydrological features further elevate their conservation value. We are encouraged that Nigeria’s number of Ramsar sites has recently increased from 11 to 17, and pleased that one of our study areas, #ArintaWaterfalls, is among the newly designated sites.

However, based on #ESRI’s data and conservation indices employed in assessing the sites, we firmly believe that the additional sites listed above also merit Ramsar designation and should be evaluated without delay.

We respectfully call on the relevant authorities, including the Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria NCF Nigeria @RamsarConvention, to support the initiation of formal designation for these high-value wetland ecosystems.

For reference, here are three short advocacy articles detailing our findings and recommendations:

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJnrbana

🔗 https://lnkd.in/e8XSrfTg

🔗 https://lnkd.in/eTPj3Qxf

#Nigeria’s freshwater heritage is #irreplaceable. The time to #protect it is #NOW.

Emmanuel O. Akindele Abiodun Matthew Adedapo Oluwaseun Temitope Akinpelu Esther Kowobari Olanrewaju Aliu FIMC, CMC Fagbohun Ibrahim Wale Fatade West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) NCF Nigeria Federal Ministry of Environment, Nigeria Key Biodiversity Areas hashtag#RamsarInternational