Nigerian Conservationist Rachel Ikemeh Wins Prestigious 2026 Rolex Award
Nigerian biologist and conservationist Rachel Ikemeh has been named one of the five global winners of the 2026 Rolex Awards, in recognition of her outstanding efforts to protect biodiversity in the Niger Delta through community-driven conservation initiatives.
Ikemeh, the only Nigerian among this year’s laureates, was honoured for leading projects that have safeguarded thousands of hectares of forest, protected endangered wildlife and improved the livelihoods of thousands of people in local communities.
Her conservation work began in 2013 after visiting the Niger Delta, a region known for its rich biodiversity but heavily affected by decades of oil pollution, deforestation and habitat destruction.
In response to the environmental challenges, she established the South-West/Niger Delta Forest Project (SWNDFP), a community-based initiative focused on preserving forests and protecting threatened species while creating sustainable opportunities for residents.
One of the project’s greatest achievements has been the recovery of the critically endangered Niger Delta red colobus monkey. By 2021, the species’ population had dwindled to about 200 due to habitat loss. Following the establishment of a community-managed conservation area covering more than 1,000 hectares, the monkey’s population has doubled within five years.
The SWNDFP currently manages four conservation areas spanning 5,839 hectares of protected forest, providing refuge for at least 13 threatened species.
The initiative has also improved the livelihoods of more than 2,500 people and reached over 18,000 residents through environmental education programmes.
With support from the Rolex Award, Ikemeh plans to establish four additional community conservation areas, launch a training hub and expand conservation education across more communities. She also intends to create the Niger Delta’s first locally managed marine protected area in Foropa.
Reflecting on her journey, Ikemeh said one of her greatest achievements has been inspiring young people to embrace conservation.
According to her, a young boy from one of the host communities once expressed his desire to become a conservationist like her, a moment she described as deeply emotional and a sign that perceptions about environmental leadership are changing in Nigeria.
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