Although referred to as the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands, after the two principal towns in the area, much of the floodplain is dry for some or all of the year. Barbier et al. The authors estimated some of the key direct use values the floodplain provides to local populations through exploitation of its resources. In addition, the wetlands are a unique habitat for migratory waterfowl, especially wader species from Palaearctic regions, and contain a number of forestry reserves. The region therefore has important tourism, educational and scientific potential.
Water is the limiting resource for development in the region.
In recent decades the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands have come under increasing pressure from drought and water resource schemes. The storage of water in upstream dams, which is diverted for irrigation, has reduced the size of flood flows into the wetlands. In addition, increased demand for irrigation water for agriculture downstream of the wetlands may lead to diverting water past the wetlands through construction of bypass channels. Intensified human use within the floodplain itself is also putting pressure on the wetlands. These developments are taking place without consideration of their impacts on the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands or any subsequent loss of economic benefits that are currently provided by use of the floodplain.