As the global community observes International Bat Appreciation Day, environmental advocates are urging urgent action to preserve Nigeria’s diverse but increasingly endangered bat species, which represent a third of all bat species found across the African continent.
Nigeria is home to approximately 100 bat species, with several of them facing the looming threat of extinction. According to the 2025 IUCN Red List, key species such as the short-tailed roundleaf bat are now critically endangered. These species are under increasing pressure from human activities, including deforestation, unregulated mining, agricultural expansion, light pollution, and illegal hunting for bushmeat.
“Bats are vital to the health of our ecosystems,” said Dr. Mark Ofua, spokesperson for Wild Africa. “As nature’s silent guardians, they help control pests, pollinate plants, and ensure the stability of food systems. Protecting them means protecting the future of our forests and food security.”
Insect-eating bats contribute to crop protection by naturally regulating pest populations, while fruit bats are critical to pollination and seed dispersal. The latter is especially significant for crops like mangoes, bananas, and guavas, as well as native plants such as baobabs. Research from neighboring Cameroon has shown that bats can save farmers up to $478 per hectare annually by preventing damage from pests on cocoa farms.
However, fruit bats, particularly the straw-coloured fruit bat, are heavily hunted in Nigeria, raising concerns about the ecological and public health risks associated with the practice. The consumption of these bats has been linked to the transmission of zoonotic diseases, highlighting the need for careful management of bat populations.
Wild Africa is strongly backing the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill currently before the Nigerian House of Assembly. If enacted, the bill would offer stronger protections for endangered species, including bats, and safeguard the forests and ecosystems they depend on.
In addition to legislative efforts, Wild Africa is running a national awareness campaign, using radio, television, and print media to reach a wide audience. The campaign has garnered support from influential Nigerian figures such as music icon 2Baba, environmentalist Nela Duke Ekpenyong, and comedian Josh2Funny, who are using their platforms to amplify the message.
On this year’s International Bat Appreciation Day, Wild Africa is calling on government bodies, businesses, environmental groups, and the Nigerian public to take immediate action in preserving the country’s bat populations. The organization stresses that the survival of these species is deeply intertwined with the broader health of the nation’s ecosystems.
“The future of Nigeria’s forests, food systems, and environmental stability hinges on our ability to act now,” Dr. Ofua concluded. “If we fail to protect bats, we risk losing a critical part of our natural heritage.”