The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) campus has been officially designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance — placing our research environment among globally recognized ecosystems critical for biodiversity, water security, and climate resilience.
Located within a protected wetland landscape, IITA demonstrates how agricultural innovation and environmental stewardship can coexist. Our campus serves as a living laboratory for sustainable land use, ecosystem conservation, and climate-smart research in Africa.
Through this designation, IITA strengthens its commitment to responsible land management, biodiversity protection, and nature-positive agricultural transformation.
- Globally recognized wetland ecosystem
- Critical habitat for biodiversity
- Natural water regulation and climate resilience
- A living research landscape integrating agriculture and conservation
This recognition reflects our unique landscape, where cutting-edge agricultural research operates within a protected wetland environment that supports biodiversity, regulates water systems, and contributes to climate resilience.
As a Ramsar site, IITA is committed to strengthening conservation stewardship while advancing science that supports sustainable food systems across Africa.
The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands is an international agreement adopted in 1971 to promote the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. Sites designated under the Convention are recognized for:
- Ecological significance
- Biodiversity value
- Hydrological importance
- Contribution to climate resilience
- Support for sustainable development
IITA’s inclusion in the Ramsar List affirms the global environmental value of its campus landscape.
Located within the 1,000-hectare IITA campus in Ibadan, the wetland ecosystem supports a rich diversity of plant and animal life and plays a critical role in regulating water systems within the surrounding environment.
Key ecological features
- Natural water bodies and seasonal wetlands
- Habitat for diverse bird and aquatic species
- Vegetation supporting biodiversity conservation
- Natural water filtration and flood regulation functions
The wetland contributes to local and regional ecological stability while serving as a living research environment.
IITA is uniquely positioned as a research institution operating within a Ramsar-designated landscape.
For almost 6 decades, the Institute has advanced agricultural innovation to improve food security and livelihoods across Africa. Today, that research takes place within a globally recognized wetland ecosystem.
This integrated landscape demonstrates that:
- Agricultural research and ecosystem conservation can coexist
- Productive landscapes can also protect biodiversity
- Science can support both people and the planet
The campus serves as a model for nature-positive agricultural transformation.
Wetlands are among the most valuable ecosystems on Earth.
They:
- Regulate water flows
- Reduce flood risks
- Recharge groundwater
- Filter pollutants
- Store carbon
- Support biodiversity
In the face of climate change, wetlands are critical natural infrastructure.
IITA’s Ramsar designation reinforces the importance of integrating water systems management, biodiversity protection, and climate-smart agricultural research.
With global recognition comes increased responsibility.
IITA is committed to:
- Strengthening wetland management practices
- Enhancing biodiversity monitoring
- Integrating sustainable land-use planning
- Protecting ecological integrity
- Promoting environmental awareness within the campus community
The Institute continues to align its research and operations with principles of sustainable ecosystem stewardship.
The Ramsar designation opens new opportunities for collaboration at the intersection of agriculture, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
IITA welcomes partnerships in areas such as:
- Wetland conservation and restorations
- Biodiversity research and monitoring
- Climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives
- Nature-based solutions
- Water governance and hydrology
- Sustainable campus and landscape models
By working together, we can advance integrated approaches that strengthen both food systems and ecosystems across Africa.
IITA’s Ramsar designation reinforces the importance of integrating water systems management, biodiversity protection, and climate-smart agricultural research.
Africa’s development pathway must balance food security with ecosystem protection.
As a Ramsar-designated site, IITA represents a model for responsible research environments that integrate scientific innovation with environmental stewardship.
This designation reinforces our broader mission:
To transform African agriculture sustainably—improving livelihoods while protecting the natural systems that sustain life.
For partnership inquiries or more information about the IITA Ramsar Wetland:
- Ibnou Dieng, dieng@cgiar.org
- Visit the IITA Forest Center
- Check out the Ramsar Sites Criteria
