By Abbas Nazil
Conservationists in Nigeria are calling for stronger public participation in protecting migratory birds and wetlands as the country marks World Migratory Bird Day 2026 under the theme “Every Bird Counts – Your Observations Matter.”
Environmental experts say millions of migratory birds arriving in Nigeria each year are not only part of a remarkable natural phenomenon but also critical indicators of ecosystem health, food security and environmental stability.
Across wetlands, mangroves and floodplains in different parts of the country, local communities, conservation workers and volunteers are being encouraged to monitor and document bird movements as part of global conservation efforts.
At the Lekki Conservation Centre, volunteers armed with binoculars and tally counters carefully observe migratory species such as the Wood Warbler, a small bird that travels thousands of kilometres from Europe and western Asia to Nigeria and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa during seasonal migration.
Conservationists explained that these birds undertake journeys of between 4,000 and 7,000 kilometres, making Nigeria a vital stopover and wintering destination along the East Atlantic Flyway.
Experts estimate that more than two billion birds use this migration route annually, moving between the Arctic and southern Africa with Nigeria serving as a major ecological transit point.
The Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands in northeastern Nigeria remains one of the country’s most important bird habitats, hosting more than 100,000 migratory birds every year and supporting about 246 recorded bird species.
Local fishermen and farmers say the arrival of migratory birds often signals changes in fishing conditions, rainfall patterns and farming seasons.
For many communities, the birds are regarded as natural environmental indicators that help people understand the health of wetlands and ecosystems.
Conservation workers noted that species such as swallows, swifts, storks and waders also contribute to pest control by feeding on insects that damage crops.
Their droppings additionally enrich wetland soils, helping maintain agricultural productivity in floodplain communities.
According to ornithologists from the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, migratory birds connect ecosystems across continents, meaning environmental damage in Nigeria can affect bird populations far beyond Africa.
Researchers and community observers are now increasingly contributing data that supports international conservation programmes, scientific studies and wildlife protection policies.
Conservationists stressed that even simple observations made by children, farmers or tourists can become valuable scientific records influencing global decisions on habitat protection and hunting regulations.
However, experts warned that Nigeria’s wetlands are facing growing threats from urban expansion, irrigation projects, farming activities and climate change.
In areas such as Hadejia-Nguru, increasing competition over water resources, agricultural expansion and environmental degradation are already affecting bird habitats and local livelihoods.
Conservation advocates said the disappearance of wetlands would not only threaten migratory birds but also reduce pest control, pollination, eco-tourism opportunities and biodiversity protection.
Officials at the Lekki Conservation Centre explained that birdwatching tourism is increasingly attracting visitors from across Nigeria and abroad, creating employment opportunities and strengthening environmental awareness.
Despite these benefits, conservation groups said weak law enforcement, illegal bird trapping and economic hardship continue to endanger migratory bird populations across the country.
The Director General of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, Dr. Joseph Onoja, said greater awareness is needed to help communities understand the environmental and economic importance of migratory birds.
He explained that when people recognize how birds connect wetlands, agriculture and livelihoods, they become more willing to support conservation efforts.
Environmentalists emphasized that protecting migratory birds ultimately means protecting water resources, biodiversity, food systems and local economies that millions of Nigerians depend upon.
