“i don’t remember,” i answered, sitting on the mat.

growing up, butterflies were a huge part of our childhood. catching one in an empty mayonnaise jar used to be the highlight of our afternoons, watching it flutter away to join its friends after we released it had us cheering and following along till they disappeared into the bushes. but now, they are becoming nothing but a distant memory.

across nigeria, butterflies are disappearing at an alarming rate. rapid urbanization has made it such that most people don’t remember the area used to be filled with butterflies — even moths are becoming a rare sight. butterflies and moths have always been indicators of a healthy ecosystem, and their decline is closely linked to climate change and the increasing frequency of heat waves with higher temperatures.

nigeria’s climate has changed drastically, prolonged dry seasons, extreme heat waves all over the country, and flash floods are becoming the norm. according to nimet (nigerian meteorological agency), the average temperature recorded yearly has been steadily rising over the past few decades, peaking at 46.4°c  in yola in april 2012, with recent highs being 45.2°c in  maiduguri and  41.6°c in umuahia recorded in 2023. in 2024, sokoto recorded a temperature of 44.8°c, with all other states experiencing temperatures ranging from 31°c to 43°c. 

why does it matter?

butterflies are very sensitive to temperature changes as their life cycle and mating is closely tied to specific weather conditions and plant availability. heat waves can dry out the few plants caterpillars can feed on and reduce male reproductivity while sudden heavy rains can wash away eggs and larvae and destroy their habitat. due to these factors, many butterflies are migrating in search of warmer temperatures, but not all of them can make the journey — leading to their extinction.

the heat waves are not only life-threatening to butterflies but greatly affect humans and the environment as a whole.

in the north, the rising heat is turning once fertile fields into barren lands. droughts have become more frequent causing the death of thousands of livestock and reducing food security in the region, driving up food costs nationwide. 

other parts of the country are also experiencing reduced agricultural productivity due to changing rainfall patterns and the drying up of lakes and rivers. rising sea levels in coastal areas along with unexpected rainfall have increased the intensity and frequency of flash floods, leading to loss of lives and property.

it is now a common sight to see people going around with one or more rechargeable fans and big bottles of water as they go around their day due to intense heat. the disappearance of butterflies is not just mourning childhood nostalgia, but a wake-up call to our environment’s cry for help.

“i don’t blame the butterflies, it’s just too hot,” peter adekunle, a fellow student at the university, said. “it’s just too hot, i can’t go anywhere without my fan. before, we used to chill under trees in between classes, now there’s just concrete everywhere, the flowers aren’t even flowering. why would butterflies be here?”

“heat is not the only problem, the butterflies don’t have anywhere to live, because of rapid urbanization all the trees and shrubs are being cut down,” aminat bello, a student of zoology, said. “before we used to go to heritage park to study larvae, now all the trees have been cut down and the area has been cleared to build a new senate building. other than butterflies, many other insect species and rodents are also on the brink of extinction, now we can only see them in the lab.”

rapid deforestation in favour of urbanization, logging, and other human activities has led to butterflies losing their habitats. according to the united nations, nigeria loses an estimated 3.7% of its forest per year, making it the country with the highest deforestation rate in the world.

what can we do? 

bringing butterflies back requires both individual and collective efforts. reintroducing native plants and shrubs in gardens, balconies, and throughout urban centers would be the first step, as it would provide food and shelter for them. many students are now creating mini gardens–growing small plants in recycled bottles and containers. 

the inclusion of green spaces, parks, and tree-lined streets would help create and maintain environments that butterflies and other wildlife can thrive in. this not only supports biodiversity but also helps to reduce the urban heat island effect. 

reducing deforestation is also critical: illegal logging is one of the major causes of deforestation in nigeria. government policies that regulate logging, law enforcement, and community involvement to report cases would help combat this issue. reforestation programs, where members of the community can actively plant and take care of the trees, can reverse some of the problems and reduce desertification. 

education plays a big role too. schools could incorporate environmental education into their curriculum and radio and television broadcasts could help educate the general public, would raise awareness, and make people more likely to take action.

finally, climate action is essential. reducing dependence on fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy sources, waste management, and practicing sustainable agriculture among others would help reduce the greenhouse gases human activities produce.

the absence of butterflies doesn’t mean they’re completely gone. if we heed the environment’s cry for help and act fast, someday, if someone asks, “when was the last time you saw a butterfly?” i would be able to point at one flying by and say, ”just now.”