AKU: An African Journal of Contemporary Research

Biodiversity is crucial to achieving ecological balance, food security, cultural heritage, sustainable development, and overall human survival. Nonetheless, the Igbo cultural landscape of Southeastern Nigeria faces increasing ecological pressures, resulting from deforestation, soil erosion, urbanization, climate change, overexploitation of natural resources, and weak environmental governance. These ecological pressures continue to threaten sustainable development in the area. The research argues that biodiversity needs to be backed by eco-spirituality, understood here as a religious and ethical vision that recognizes creation as a gift, human beings as responsible stewards, and care for the natural world as inseparable from justice and concern for future generations. Such eco-spiritual values embedded in Igbo traditional religion, Christianity, and Islam can inspire environmentally responsible behavior and strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts in Igboland. The research employs a qualitative methodology based on secondary sources. Findings reveal that the Igbo traditional societies historically preserved biodiversity through sacred groves, totems, taboos, and religious rituals that discouraged environmental destruction. It concludes that integrating eco-spirituality into environmental education, governance, and community participation can significantly enhance sustainable development outcomes in Igboland. The researcher recommends stronger collaboration among government institutions, religious bodies, local communities, and environmental organizations in promoting eco-spiritual environmental ethics.

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