A bat biologist, Dr. Benneth Obitte, has warned that the declining bats population in Nigeria may affect food security.
Dr. Obitte warned that Nigeria may be losing one of its most underappreciated environmental allies, largely out of superstition and neglect.
He said this while addressing journalists during a webinar organised by Wild Africa on Monday, April 13, 2026, ahead of the International Bat Appreciation Day, which is observed on April 17.
The Perception about Bats
For some Nigerians, bats are not just animals, they are symbols of fears driven by unverified beliefs passed across generations. In some communities, their sudden appearance is still tied to stories of witches, dark forces and disease, a belief passed down so often that it now feels like fact.
But while the myths linger, something far more real is unfolding.
Across Nigeria, bat populations are quietly shrinking. New research points to intense, widespread hunting as a major driver, pushing these animals toward a dangerous tipping point.
What makes this decline alarming isn’t just the loss of the bats themselves, but the ripple effect it could have on ecosystems, agriculture, and food security.
Bats and Crop Production
Behind their shadowy reputation lies a powerful ecological force.
Bats are natural pest controllers, consuming vast quantities of insects that would otherwise devastate crops. They are also vital pollinators and seed dispersers. In parts of Nigeria, species of bats play a crucial role in the propagation of economically important plants like shea and dawadawa also known as locust beans.
“They save farmers the cost of pesticides and insecticides,” Obitte says. “Without bats, some of these plants and the livelihoods tied to them could decline.”
According to Obitte, Nigeria is home to over 100 species of bats, including fruit bats (often called flying foxes), nectar-feeding bats, and insectivorous species that dwell in caves and tree hollows. Globally, there are more than 1,400 species, making bats one of the most diverse groups of mammals on Earth.
The suspicion surrounding bats is not uniquely Nigerian. It appears to be a global perception problem, shaped by centuries of folklore and reinforced by their nocturnal nature.
“Animals that operate at night, bats, owls, even cats have historically been grouped as evil in many African cultures, because they are nocturnal,” Obitte explained.
But that narrative is slowly shifting. As education and ecological awareness spread, more people are beginning to understand that bats are not omens, they are essential.
Hunting and Habitat Loss
Despite their ecological importance, bats face mounting threats.
Habitat loss from deforestation and urban expansion is one factor, though difficult to quantify. However, more visible and more immediate is hunting.
Across parts of southern Nigeria, bats are widely consumed as bushmeat and used in traditional medicine. In some communities in Edo State, Obitte estimates that up to 50 percent of residents consume bats. In Cross River and beyond, their “distinct taste” keeps them in demand.
This level of exploitation is not without consequence.
“Hunting is redistributing bat species across the landscape,” he said. “Some populations are being pushed out entirely.”
Nigeria has already lost more than half of its forest cover, compounding the crisis. With fewer places to roost and reproduce, and increasing pressure from hunters, bat populations are being squeezed from both sides.
COVID-19 and the Burden of Blame
The COVID-19 pandemic further complicated public perception. While some people suggested a link between bats and the virus, Obitte is clear: there is no direct evidence that humans contract COVID-19 from bats.
“The virus likely passed from bats to another species before reaching humans,” he explained. “But there is no data confirming direct transmission from bats to people.”
Still, the association has deepened fear, making conservation efforts even more challenging.
Conservation enforcement
In Nigeria, wildlife conservation remains largely underfunded and under-prioritized.
Obitte recounted witnessing bats openly sold at a police checkpoint, an image that underscored weak enforcement. While new wildlife laws have introduced stricter penalties for hunting endangered species, implementation remains inconsistent.
“For every seizure made, there are dozens that pass through,” he says.
Much of the real work is being carried out by non-governmental organisations. These groups train customs officers to identify trafficked species, support national park rangers, while the organisation he co-founded, Small mammal conservation organization (SMACON) conduct field monitoring in places like Abuja, Jos, Benin, and Benue.
But without strong institutional backing, their impact is limited.
“Nigeria treats wildlife as an afterthought,” Obitte says. “Conservation is not yet seen as a national priority.”
Bat Day and the Call to Action
International Bat Appreciation Day, marked every April 17, was created to change exactly this kind of narrative.
It is a day dedicated to educating the public about the ecological importance of bats, correcting harmful myths, and encouraging conservation efforts worldwide. For countries like Nigeria, where misunderstanding runs deep and threats are immediate, the day carries added urgency.
Obitte believes the path forward is clear, even if it is not easy.
He said Nigeria must begin by acknowledging what has already been lost, over 50 percent of its forest cover, and take decisive steps to protect what remains. That includes properly funding conservation agencies, equipping forest guards, and enforcing a strict ban on hunting in protected areas.
“Protected areas must actually be protected,” he insisted.
He explained that countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda have built thriving tourism industries around wildlife, stressing that Nigeria, with its rich biodiversity, has similar potential, but only if it begins to value what it still has.
As dusk falls across Nigeria’s forests and cities, bats still take to the skies, quiet, and sometimes unseen.
Their survival may depend on something as simple, and as difficult, as changing perception.
Saving bats is not just about protecting a misunderstood animal, it is about sustaining the society.
By Omowumi Abraham