Menu

Wananga landing Wananga landing
Topic

Nigerian Montane Forest Project

27 August 2024

For over twenty years the Project has combined scientific research with education at tertiary and local community levels to conserve a rare Nigerian afromontane forest reserve. This work has enabled us to develop a model for long-term sustainable management of forests involving local communities, which is applicable across the world. Learn more about this Project and get involved.

HOW TO APPLY

Annual Report 2023

Highlights include new collaborations, the second census of the ForestGeo Plot, eight new postgraduate students and the planting of 20,000 more trees. We have been recognised as an exemplar of good practice for forest restoration and have had a press article about our beekeeping initiatives.
Download (application/pdf, 10 MB)
Download

Support the Project

The Project has been active in the conservation of unique Nigerian biodiversity on the Mambilla Plateau for over twenty years. Our primary objectives align with the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's). Find out how you can support this valuable work.
Download (application/pdf, 3 MB)
Download

Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve

The NMFP has made its base at Ngel Nyaki forest, and has just built a field station at the forest edge.

Ngel Nyaki is an impressive stand of montane/sub-montane forest, between 1400–1600 metres elevation. It is the most plant species-rich montane forest in Nigeria, with over 24 endangered plant species, including Entandrophragma angolense, Lovoa trichilioides, Milletia conraui, Pouteria altissima and Prunus africana.

It is home to the endangered Nigerian chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes subsp. villerosus, and other primates including putty nosed (Cercopithecus nicitans), Mona (Cercopithecus mona) and Tantalus (Cercopithecus aethiops) monkeys. It is also an Important Bird Area recognised by Birdlife International.

The forest can be reached on foot from Yelwa village and is the only forest of its type left on the heavily populated Mambilla Plateau. Ngel Nyaki is under severe pressure from subsistence farmers infiltrating the reserve, cattle grazing within and along the reserve edge, burning and hunting.

The Nigerian Montane Forest Project’s mission is to promote national and international commitment to the conservation of Nigeria’s montane forests by inspiring excellence in research by postgraduate students and empowering local communities through employment and education.

Aims 

  • To combine scientific research with education at both tertiary and local community level in order to develop long-term sustainable management of Nigeria’s montane forests.
  • To facilitate the involvement of national and international researchers in Nigerian montane forest research
  • To involve the community in the management of montane forest ecosystems
  • To work with the community in other ways, such as developing small businesses and working with schools to develop conservation awareness. 

Donate now

Every amount counts, support our research and education to develop long-term sustainable management of Nigeria’s montane forests.

For all enquiries get in touch with our researchers

Connect with us

Privacy Preferences

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.