IUCN SSC Nigeria Species Specialist Group (Nigeria SSG)

The IUCN SSC Nigeria Species Specialist Group is a national network of experts, conservationists, and practitioners dedicated to safeguarding Nigeria’s unique biodiversity. Operating under the umbrella of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) in collaboration with the IUCN SSC Centre for Species Survival Nigeria, we bring together professionals from diverse taxonomic groups, scientific disciplines, and sectors to support evidence-based species conservation across the country, working across the Species Conservation Cycle.

Our Mission

To provide a national platform to convene and mobilize species experts in Nigeria and to introduce, mainstream, and increase local capacity for the application of IUCN knowledge products and processes to assess the conservation status of species, support conservation planning efforts and strategies that inform appropriate actions and advance species conservation in Nigeria.

Our Vision

A Nigeria where biodiversity is valued, conserved, and restored for the benefit of people and nature.

Why NgSSG

Nigeria is home to over 1,400 plant species, 921 bird species, 247 mammals, 57 reptiles, and countless invertebrates—many of which are threatened or endemic. Yet, pressures such as habitat loss, climate change, illegal wildlife trade, overexploitation, and rapid urbanization are driving alarming declines.

Key challenges include:

• Large-scale deforestation and habitat conversion.
• Declining populations of iconic species such as lions, elephants, pangolins, and vultures.
• Degradation of vital ecosystems including rainforests, mangroves, savannahs, and freshwater habitats.

The Nigeria SSG provides the currently missing national platform to unite expertise, strengthen species assessments, and guide conservation priorities that address these urgent challenges.

What We Do

Our work follows the IUCN SSC Species Conservation Cycle and focuses on:

• National Red List Assessments for species and ecosystems.
• Capacity Building in conservation tools and methods.
• Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Mapping with a focus on underrepresented ecosystems such as marine habitats.
• Conservation Action Planning for threatened and endemic species.
• Partnership Development to deliver conservation on the ground.
• Policy Integration by contributing to Nigeria’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

How We Work

We operate through specialist subgroups covering:

• Plants
• Fungi
• Invertebrates
• Aquatic Species (Marine & Freshwater)
• Reptiles & Amphibians
• Birds
• Mammals
• Ecosystems & Habitat Restoration

Our Partnerships

We work in close collaboration with:

• Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) – our host institution.
• A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) – Centre for Species Survival in Nigeria.
• Government agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and community stakeholders.

Together, we harness knowledge products like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and Key Biodiversity Areas to shape impactful conservation action.