# Women in Nigeria Restore 190 Hectares of Mangrove Forest After Decades of Pollution > In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, years of oil pollution have wrecked forests and waterways, but a group of women isn’t letting the land give up without a fight. Since ![Women in Nigeria Restore 190 Hectares of Mangrove Forest After Decades of Pollution](/media/2026/10/Positivity---2026-10-27T114927-691-3580cb95.webp) ## In Nigeria’s Niger Delta, years of oil pollution have wrecked forests and waterways, but a group of women isn’t letting the land give up without a fight. Since 2018, with support from the Lokiaka Community Development Centre, they’ve planted over three million mangroves and brought about 190 hectares of damaged swamp forest in Ogoniland back to life. ## Martha Agbani: Leading the Fight to Restore Ogoniland It’s Martha Agbani leading the charge. She grew up in Ogoniland, so she saw firsthand how oil spills turned rivers murky and left forests struggling. People lost their fishing spots, and families lost their income and food sources. Martha wasn’t about to sit back and accept it. Instead, she kickstarted a community-powered push to restore the wetlands—and made sure women had a real voice in the effort. ## More Than 400 Women Are Helping Restore Mangrove Forests More than 400 women have joined in, learning right in the thick of the wetlands. They don’t just plop seedlings in the mud and walk away. They pay attention to how the water moves, figure out which soil works best, and look out for stubborn invasive plants. It takes patience, local know-how, and a stubborn streak—the kind that won’t let young mangroves fail once they’re in the ground. By training women to handle every step, this project lets them share their knowledge, build confidence, and lead their communities in the restoration work. ## Why Mangroves Matter for Wildlife and Coastal Communities Mangroves aren’t just pretty trees; they keep the coastline stable, store carbon, and boost fisheries. Their tangled roots create homes for fish, crabs, shrimp, and countless other creatures. Folks living nearby depend on these wetlands for their livelihoods, so seeing wildlife—like fish and crabs—return is huge. It means the ecosystem is waking up again. Healthier wetlands could bring back jobs and income for those who relied on fishing and gathering. The recovery isn’t overnight, but every stretch of revived forest is a step forward for both nature and the people living there. ## Community-Led Restoration Is Building a Lasting Future This project is bigger than just planting trees. It puts women who’ve seen the damage up close in charge of how their land heals. When locals drive the work, it sticks—they’re building skills for lasting stewardship, not waiting for outsiders to swoop in. Of course, it’s not all fixed. Decades of pollution left deep scars, and setbacks can happen. The community knows it takes steady care, constant monitoring, and determination to stop new contamination. But honestly, the progress in Ogoniland shows what’s possible when people refuse to give up. > With millions of mangroves taking root across 190 hectares, these women aren’t just bringing back forests—they’re restoring hope, rebuilding jobs, and showing that even deeply damaged places can bounce back if people are given the chance and the tools to help. Explore Related Topics Take the Positivity Quiz More in Good News Share this article ### Stay Inspired Get a daily dose of positivity delivered to your inbox. ### Discover More on Positivity What Is Positivity? 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