In a significant boost for Nigeria's environmental conservation efforts, the Emerald Forest Reserve (EFR) in Ikoyi-Osun, Osun State, has been officially recognized as a global Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). This prestigious designation, confirmed in 2024 and announced in January 2026, is a direct result of years of rigorous scientific research spearheaded by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Forest Center.
Scientific Rigour Leads to Global Recognition
The journey to this status was anchored in meticulous, long-term biodiversity monitoring. The 120-hectare indigenous rainforest, protected for over two decades through local community efforts, was rigorously assessed using global KBA protocols. The nomination was scientifically led by IITA-CGIAR, with Dr. Adewale Awoyemi, the IITA Forest Center Manager, serving as the lead proposer.
He was supported by a team of co-proposers including Ademola Ajayi, IITA Field Supervisor; Dr. Stella Egbe of the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF); and Professor Shiiwua Manu, an ornithology expert from the University of Jos. Their work, funded by the A. G. Leventis Foundation, produced peer-reviewed publications that formed the undeniable backbone of the successful nomination to the KBA Secretariat, which has BirdLife International as a core partner.
The Ibadan Malimbe: A Flagship for Conservation
Central to the reserve's new status is its critical role in conserving the endemic and endangered Ibadan Malimbe bird (Malimbus ibadanensis). Quarterly bird monitoring surveys conducted over several years by IITA scientists, in collaboration with the A. P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute, provided groundbreaking evidence.
"Our research documented repeated sightings, acoustic calls, nesting attempts, and breeding behavior," explained Dr. Awoyemi in Ibadan. These findings represent some of the most comprehensive proof of the species' persistence in the wild and demonstrated that EFR offers a viable, recovering habitat for a bird once feared to be disappearing. Dr. Modupe Ladipo, a Director of the Emerald Forest Reserve, highlighted that the acoustic documentation of the bird's call was a particularly pivotal discovery for global recognition.
A Milestone for National and Global Commitments
The designation has been celebrated across Nigeria's conservation community. The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), BirdLife International's partner in Nigeria, facilitated crucial national coordination. NCF's Director General, Dr. Joseph Onoja, hailed the achievement as a milestone, noting its alignment with Nigeria's National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP) and international commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
"It is indeed exciting to have EFR as the first newly assessed and nominated KBA in Nigeria," Dr. Onoja stated. The Nigeria Convention on Biological Diversity also commended the development, emphasizing how such efforts help halt species decline and prevent habitat loss.
A formal celebration of the KBA designation is scheduled for January 22, 2026, bringing together stakeholders, community representatives, and partner institutions. This achievement underscores the powerful synergy between robust, science-driven research and dedicated local stewardship, setting a precedent for identifying and protecting other vital ecological sites across Nigeria.
