By Danjuma Amodu |January 20, 2026
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has launched its Phase 2 mangrove restoration programme with a three‑day training for 70 newly recruited ‘Mangrove Vanguards’ from seven shoreline communities; Bomu, Bodo, K.Dere, Gbe, Kpor, Lewe and Goi.
The training workshop held at Gberesaakoo Hall in Gokana Local Government, Kpor brought together ten youths and women from each community, of whom 45 % are women, to learn nursery set‑up, seedling production and long‑term conservation techniques.
Dr Izuchukwu Uche, HYPREP’s Mangrove Restoration Team Lead, said the second phase builds on the success of Phase 1, which achieved significant survival rates and community buy‑in.
“The lessons from Phase 1 are guiding us to make Phase 2 more effective,” he noted, adding that the 70 vanguards will each receive a grant to establish community nurseries, creating a sustainable source of seedlings for the 28 restoration lots across the seven communities. .
The training, led by Professor Franklin Tanen, covered species identification, nursery management, threat assessment and entrepreneurial skills. “Participants will be able to earn a living from mangrove nurseries and act as ambassadors for restoration throughout Ogoniland and beyond,” Prof Tanen explained.
Beneficiaries welcomed the initiative. Mr Baridi Kobani from Goi described the programme as “resourceful and empowering,” while Ms Florence Nenibarini Farah of Kegbara Dere praised the transparent selection process and pledged to apply her new knowledge to revive lost shellfish habitats and curb illegal logging and bunkering.
HYPREP will continue to monitor the vanguards, ensuring proper use of grants and measuring ecological outcomes as part of its long‑term sustainability plan.
HYPREP was established under the 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland, which documented extensive hydrocarbon pollution and called for comprehensive remediation.
Since its inception, HYPREP has implemented soil and water clean‑up, community health programmes and, from 2023, a mangrove restoration component. Phase 1 (2023‑2025) piloted community‑led nursery schemes in three Ogoni villages, resulting in over 150,000 seedlings planted and a 70 % survival rate after one year. Building on that experience, Phase 2 expands to seven communities with a target of 500,000 seedlings and aims to create lasting livelihoods for local youths and women while restoring biodiversity and protecting shoreline ecosystems from further degradation.
