The study explores ways to nurture advance nature-based solutions (NbS) as umbrella to preserve wetlands along the critical zone of river Nyong, Cameroon, and provides holistic and long-term solutions based on the co-creation of knowledge in transdisciplinary way using Tchouaffé’s theory of change (TToC). TToC is defined as a new educational concept which brings together transdisciplinary change makers to co-create transformative solutions to overcome socio-environmental challenges. For this specific case study, the major challenges or causes of the degradation of the river Nyong stated here are mostly deforestation, recurrent pollutions, and sedimentation of the riverbed, and the associated consequences are the growth of floating macrophytes or eutrophication, which in turn induces a gradual reduction in the flow of the river and unprecedented damage to its ecosystem as well. The study focuses on applying nature-based solutions, which leverage natural processes and ecosystems to address environmental challenges. By preserving and restoring these wetlands while tackling eutrophication, the research seeks to enhance the resilience of the river Nyong’s ecosystem against threats such as pollution, sedimentation, and climate change. To reach this aim, we carried out geo-referencing of one of the critical zones of river Nyong, and we also carried out focus group discussions to collect information from 50 riparian populations, who chose their solutions to tackle eutrophication of this river and confirmed the pivotal role of nature-based solutions to restore the river’s wetlands. As key findings 48 out of 50 interviewed responded, and 60% of them favor nature-based solution, while for the rest 40% favor ecological engineering solution (EES) and ecological-based adaptation (EbA). Related to gender balance, women compared to men are more self-engaged for wetlands restoration with self-engaged performance of 32.5% against 25% for men. In a nutshell, both men and women working together enable to reach a self-engaged performance or effectiveness of 57.5% which is effective according to Tchouaffe’s theory of change model, and while combining two or three proposed solutions, we could optimize and improve the trophic status of the river Nyong for a long-term basis.