The Nigerian mangrove ecosystem is among the largest in the world and largest in Africa, covering an area of approximately 6,894 km2 (Global Mangrove Watch, 2016; Adegbehin and Nwaigbo, 1990; Anon, 1995; Macintosh and Ashton, 2003). The importance of shellfisheries livelihoods, which include satisfying nutritional needs and creating employment, is demonstrated by the fact that in most cases the entire family participates in the whole value chain of the fisheries business. There is, however, a general dearth of reports on women’s participation in shellfisheries in Nigeria.

The current study assesses the scale and scope of shellfish and shellfish-based livelihoods connected with mangrove systems and coastal water bodies in Nigeria through a participatory approach. In total, this assessment involved 42 field survey participants, 22 of whom were women, while 20 were men, constituting 52% and 48%, respectively. Over 85% of women participants were of reproductive age, an important age group when considering the potential role of shellfish access in alleviating high anemia prevalence in the country (approximately 70% for children under five and 50% for women of reproductive age).

It is estimated that there are approximately 39,340 individuals involved in shellfishing along Nigeria’s mangrove coast, approximately two-thirds of whom are women. There are an estimated 415,548 direct beneficiaries of shellfishing harvest in Nigeria. These number figures are the highest by an order of magnitude across the 11 coastal West African countries in the assessment. Over one-third (40%) of women participants in this study are working across the entire value chain (engaged in harvesting, processing, trading, and consumption) in women-dominated shellfisheries, with another 60% working at the level of processing and trading in male-dominated harvest shellfisheries.

This indicates a somewhat vertically integrated value chain with women harvesters present at every node of some shellfish value chains and implies that value chain improvements at any of these nodes can directly benefit women harvesters, creating an opportunity to incentivise behavior change for sustainable resource management.

Furthermore, women engaged in the value chains of women-dominated shellfisheries report carrying out these activities as their sole means of livelihood, increasing the stakes of sustainability within the sector for women.  Harvesting of shellfish is a mainstay of coastal livelihoods in Nigeria. However, the revenue generated from this sector has had little positive impact on the standard of living among these communities. This is perceived to be due in part to a lack of business management skills to maximise profits.

Resource users report wanting improved processing and storage facilities for improved product quality and increased shelf life. Shellfishing communities feel that the government or other agencies should provide modern storage and processing facilities to improve shellfisheries livelihoods of women. These individuals also reported wanting financial empowerment for women, including the provision of subsidised fishing gear, boats, and engines.

Shellfish processing is a primary driver of the harvesting of mangrove material in Nigeria. It was recommended that modernised processing facilities use other fuel materials to mitigate this threat. Lastly, there is an express need to facilitate the organisation of women shellfishers in Nigeria into groups and associations to build social capital and access tools such as financial assistance through grants and loans. None of the resource users nor the survey participants from government or academic backgrounds reported any awareness of laws applied to shellfisheries or mangrove systems in Nigeria.