Women in Nigeria's oil-exploited Niger Delta are actively restoring mangrove forests, which have been devastated by decades of pollution. Martha Agbani, founder of the Lokiaka Community Development Centre, is leading efforts to train women in replanting these vital ecosystems in Ogoniland.
Agbani established the centre in 2003, inspired by her mother's activism and the environmental damage she witnessed growing up, including the execution of Ogoni activist Ken Saro-Wiwa. Her goal extends beyond planting trees to healing wetlands, restoring livelihoods, and rebuilding a sense of ownership among Ogoni communities.
Since 2018, Lokiaka's teams have planted 3 million mangroves and reclaimed 190 hectares of swamp forest in Ogoniland. Over 400 women have been trained, many of whom have replicated the training locally. Joy Lebewi, one of the trained women, works in Teenama, where more than 150,000 mangrove saplings have been planted.
The ecological damage in the Niger Delta has been extensive, with over 500,000 barrels of crude oil estimated to have been spilt in under 20 years. This has destroyed valuable food sources and income for communities reliant on mangrove-lined creeks. The invasive nipa palm also poses a threat, crowding out native species.
Mangrove forests are crucial for providing habitats for aquatic life, protecting coastlines, storing carbon, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of people. Agbani's initiative aims to empower women to independently restore their wetlands, fostering a community-owned and controlled restoration process.