The Niger Delta has a delicate ecosystem dominated by mangrove forests which supports diverse life forms. The region experiences substantial annual rainfall ranging from 136mm to 4500mm annually and its generally flat terrain with minimal elevation makes it highly susceptible to flooding. However, there are varieties of evergreen trees whose roots create barriers to flowing water, provides stability to the soil, minimising erosion and damages caused by flood. This study highlights the Niger Delta’s vulnerability to flooding as well as native riparian trees that can mitigate the effects of flooding. Some indigenous species identified in the West African mangrove include Laguncularia racemosa, Rhizophora racemosa (tall red mangrove), Rhizophora mangle (red mangrove), and Rhizophora harrisonii (short red mangrove). Other notable native trees species found in the Niger Delta region include Elaeis guineensis (oil palm), Raphia hookeri, Cocos nucifera (coconut), Irvingia gabonensis (bush mango), Hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree), Dacryodes edulis (African plum), Terminalia spp, Lonchocarpus cyanescens, Pterocarpus santalinoides, Mitragyna ciliata, Nauclea diderrichii, Khaya ivorensis, and Musanga cecropioides. Geographic information system (GIS) and literature analyses revealed soil composition as 43.52% fine-textured clay soil, 25.98% silty/loam, and 30.5% coarse and sandy soil in the area, while a total of 580 rivers in the region are susceptible to flooding, potentially affecting 2,148 towns. Proximity analysis indicates potential risks: 0.5km—224 communities, 1km—794 communities, and 1.5km—1,110 communities. Strategic use of indigenous tree species emerges as a cost-effective alternative to engineering solutions as these trees, with strong roots, already adapted to the Niger Delta environment offer a natural defence against riverbank erosion and flooding.