World Bee Day

World Bee Day History

World Bee Day is an annual global event celebrated on 20th May that emphasizes the crucial role bees play in pollination, ensuring the thriving of our ecosystems, food supplies, and biodiversity. The primary objective of this Observance is to raise public awareness about the significance of bees as key contributors to our environment, including critical agricultural processes in Nigeria.

The United Nations General Assembly first declared World Bee Day on 20th December 2017, following a proposal made by the Republic of Slovenia in collaboration with international organizations working in the beekeeping sector. Nigeria, being a major player in African agriculture, stands to benefit greatly from healthy bee populations. Bees in Nigeria contribute significantly to the pollination of cash crops like cocoa, oil palm, and cotton, and subsistence crops such as yam, maize, and millet. The honeybee, one of Nigeria's most important pollinators, also provides apiculture products such as honey and beeswax, which contribute to the nation's economy.

To mark the Observance of World Bee Day, various activities are organized to increase the understanding and admiration for bees' contributions to our food security, natural habitats, and the fight against climate change. This event is commemorated globally to remind us of our shared responsibility in protecting these hardworking pollinators, enabling sustainable agricultural practices, and securing this valuable resource for generations to come.

Top 9 Facts for 2026 World Bee Day in Nigeria

• The upcoming World Bee Day 2026 will be celebrated under the global theme Bee Together for People and the Planet – A partnership that sustains us all, which highlights the millenia-old relationship between humans and pollinators.
• Experts suggest that if the apiculture sector is fully developed, bee farming has the potential to boost Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product by up to 18 percent through the production of honey, beeswax, and propolis.
• Nigeria has recently validated its first-ever national Pollinator Strategy and Integrated Pest Management Strategy to protect local bee populations from habitat loss and the improper use of harmful pesticides.
• In the Ngel Nyaki Forest Reserve of Taraba State, the Nigerian Montane Forest Project is training local communities in modern beekeeping to prevent the traditional practice of using fire for honey harvesting, which often destroys hives and endangered trees.
• Beyond common honeybees, researchers in Nigeria have begun building a national genetic reference bank by documenting DNA barcodes for various pollinators to aid in the conservation of species essential for the country's biodiversity.
• The FCT ACReSAL Project in Abuja has recently distributed thousands of seedlings for pollinator-friendly trees and free beekeeping equipment to cooperatives to help mitigate the effects of climate change and support rural livelihoods.
• Nigerian honey is increasingly recognized on the international market for its superior quality and high medicinal value because it is produced in tropical environments with significantly lower contamination risks compared to honey from more industrialized regions.
• To engage the next generation, initiatives such as "school pollinator clubs" have been launched at the St. Catherine’s Group of Schools and other institutions to embed bee conservation into the national curriculum.
• This year's celebration is uniquely aligned with the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026, drawing special attention to the National Association of Women in Bee-keeping and their efforts to empower women through sustainable hive management.

In the News and Trending in Nigeria for World Bee Day

Top things to do in Nigeria for World Bee Day

• Do what you can to help bees! Plant native plants and flowers, avoid using pesticides or herbicides, and purchase honey from local farmers.
• Explore a collection of poems about bees and their importance.
• Watch a movie about bees that are native to Africa. Here are our picks:
  1. Sisters of the Wilderness (2018) - This documentary explores the lives of five Zulu women from rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal who become beekeepers, using honey as a means to create sustainable livelihoods.
  2. Honey at the Top (2016) - This documentary is set in Kenya and focuses on Sengwer tribe's livelihoods through beekeeping, honey hunting, and their struggle to preserve their ancestral land.
  3. Beekeeping in Africa (2010) - A short YouTube series that explores beekeeping projects in Liberia, Tanzania, and Uganda, showcasing the importance of bees and sustainable livelihoods in these regions.
• Check out a local honey tasting event today. Learn about the different types of honey produced in Nigeria and taste them in an interactive setting on World Bee Day.