Nigeria houses a cornucopia of both plants and animal species which makes it very rich in
biodiversity. The considerable levels of endemism and species richness in the country are due
to a complex topography, favourable climate and wide range of habitats. These include but are
not limited to coastal creeks of the Niger Delta, the rainforests of the Cross River basin and the
mountains along the Cameroun border. The Atlantic Ocean forms the southern border part of
Nigeria, and with its highly diverse marine and freshwater ecosystems. There exists an inland
layout of an array of other forest ecosystems including the Sahel Savannah in the extreme
North, Sudan Savannah, Guinea Savannah and Derived Savannah woodland.

Species statistics showed that Nigeria has an endemic flora of 91 species belonging to 44
families with Rubiaceae accounting for the highest numbers. A list of faunal species was also
outlined. According to the IUCN Red list 2013, Nigeria has a total of 309 threatened species in
the following taxonomic categories: Mammals (26), Birds (19), Reptiles (8), Amphibians (13),
Fishes (60), Molluscs (1), other Invertebrates (14) and Plants (168) (Sedghi, 2013). The
categories of biodiversity related sites in Nigeria include: 7 National Parks of Old Oyo, Cross
River, Gashaka-Gumti, Okomu, Chad Basin, Kainji Lake, and Kamuku; 27 Important Bird Areas
including all National Parks and 60% the Ramsar sites; 11 Ramsar Sites; 2 World Heritage Sites
of Sukur Kingdom and Osun Osogbo Grove; 994 Forest Reserves; 32 Game Reserves; 1
Biosphere Reserve; and many Sacred groves at varied level of protection.  

This document gave information on the status of biodiversity and its contribution to varied
sectors of Nigerian economy including tourism, agriculture, water resources, health, commerce
and industrial development. It showed how biodiversity impacts on the lives and livelihoods of
the people as well. The value of biodiversity to Nigerians and the linkages it has on various
sectors of the Nigerian economy was vividly shown. The threats to biodiversity, causes and 
consequences of biodiversity loss in Nigeria were also
identified and analysed. It outlined the
Policy, Legal, and Institutional Frameworks on conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity
as an integral part of the national policy on environment. There was an elaboration of
Stakeholders on Biodiversity management.    

This revised NBSAP was developed within the framework of stakeholder’s participatory
approach involving series of plenary of multi-stakeholders workshop and peer reviews with
over 500 stakeholders ranging from international and national experts to officials of sub
national entities and managers of natural resources at the grass root. The consultative process
included a detailed review of Nigeria’s first NBSAP (2001-2010) which provided valuable lessons
and guidance for the formulation of this second NBSAP (2016 – 2020).