Restoring Okomu National Park’s integrity for eco-tourism development
Restoring Okomu National Park’s integrity for eco-tourism development
EnviroNews Nigeria
March 17, 2025
See link
https://www.environewsnigeria.com/restoring-okomu-national-parks-integrity-for-eco-tourism-development/
for photos.
In spite of its values to national development in tourism sector, concerned
citizens note that illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment by farmers
once threatened its rich ecosystem, home to the endangered African forest
elephant and the white-throated monkey – one of the world’s rarest primates.
In a bid to secure the park, the Okomu National Park Service (NPS) and the
Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation, collaborated to restore the
park’s integrity.
The collaboration, which began in 2022, is not just about conservation; it
is a holistic effort to secure the park, empower surrounding communities,
and foster eco-tourism development.
From reinforcing security through ranger recruitment to initiating
community-driven alternative livelihoods, the partnership is redefining
conservation in the country.
In spite of its vast ecological significance, the the 200-square kilometre
protected area, designated as a national park in 1999, has struggled with
illegal activities inimical to its values.
Reports from conservation groups have highlighted how timber merchants
exploited the forest for its valuable hardwood, while poachers targeted
endangered species for bushmeat and illicit trade.
A 2020 study by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) revealed that
widespread deforestation within the park was driven by commercial
interests, with criminal syndicates felling ancient trees and smuggling
timber to international markets.
In addition, the unchecked hunting of wildlife, including elephants and
primates, pushed several species to the brink of local extinction.
“The threats to Okomu were enormous; when I resumed duty in November 2022,
illegal logging was a major challenge, and we had to find a sustainable
solution,” Mr. Lawrence Osaze, the Conservator of Park, observed.
Recognising the urgent need for intervention, the National Park Service
sought partnerships with conservation organisations that had a proven track
record of success.
This led to the involvement of the Africa Nature Investors (ANI)
Foundation, which had demonstrated effective eco-tourism and conservation
models in Gashaka Gumti National Park in Taraba and Adamawa state.
The partnership between ANI Foundation and Okomu National Park began in
2022 and, within two years, significant progress had been made in tackling
the park’s longstanding problems, Osaze noted.
He said that one of the foundation’s first actions was to enhance the
park’s security infrastructure.
“ANI Foundation hired and trained 38 additional rangers, equipping them
with modern surveillance tools and deploying them for regular anti-poaching
patrols. This move drastically reduced illegal logging and wildlife hunting.
“We joined forces together, and the story today is entirely different. The
park is relatively peaceful, and logging activities are at the barest
minimum.
“Before the partnership, rangers were often outnumbered and
under-resourced, making it difficult to curb illegal activities. But ANI’s
intervention has transformed the situation.
“The foundation has not only provided financial and logistical support but
has also introduced intelligence-driven security measures, ensuring that
poachers and loggers face swift consequences.
“Beyond enforcement, the foundation recognised the importance of winning
over local communities. Many of the park’s challenges stemmed from economic
hardship, as nearby villagers relied on the forest for survival.
To address this, ANI introduced several empowerment initiatives,
encouraging residents to adopt sustainable livelihoods.
“We have had a series of engagements with communities to gain their
support. We are working to ensure they do not rely solely on forest
resources for survival,” Osaze explained.
He noted further that the initiatives included savings and loan programmes
for women and youth, enabling them to establish small businesses, expand
their farms, or invest in alternative sources of income.
Similarly, the Iyase of Udo, Chief Patrick Igbinidu, a respected
traditional ruler in the area, said that the impact of these interventions
was evident.
“ANI Foundation has been a great partner since they arrived at Okomu
National Park. They have not only improved security but have also empowered
our people. Many of our youths have been employed as rangers, and women
have been supported with interest-free loans,” he said.
According to him, these programmes have been instrumental in shifting local
perceptions of conservation.
He also said that communities viewed the national park as a
government-imposed restriction on their livelihoods, but now, they could
see it as an opportunity for economic growth and stability.
By most accounts, Okomu National Park is one of Nigeria’s most important
biodiversity hotspots, hosting species that are rarely found elsewhere.
ANI Foundation, meanwhile, prioritises protecting these species to promote
eco-tourism as a sustainable revenue model for the park.
Peter Abanyam, ANI Foundation’s Project Manager for Okomu, emphasised the
park’s ecological importance.
“Okomu is the primary home of the white-throated monkey. Apart from a small
population in south-western part of the country, this park is where you
find them in the world. The African forest elephant is also a flagship
species here,” he noted.
By boosting conservation efforts, Abanyam insisted that the foundation
would attract both domestic and international tourists, positioning Okomu
as an eco-tourism destination.
According to the project manager, plans are underway to upgrade park
facilities, improve visitor experiences, and market Okomu as a must-visit
site for nature lovers.
Both the National Park Service and ANI Foundation acknowledge that
long-term success will depend on maintaining vigilance against illegal
activities while expanding alternative livelihood programs.
“Our goal is to make Africa’s nature and wildlife a source of pride. We
want to show that conservation can be sustainable and beneficial to local
communities through private sector investment,” Abanyam said.
Amidst the sustainable efforts, the Iyase of Udo, also reaffirmed the
community’s commitment to the partnership.
“We will continue to support ANI and the National Park Service. They have
shown a genuine interest in developing our area, and we stand with them,”
he said.
Observers note that for Osaze and his team, the vision is clear. It is to
make Okomu National Park Nigeria’s premier eco-tourism hub, a model for
conservation success across the country.
They note further that the transformation of Okomu National Park is a
testament to the power of strategic partnerships in conservation.
According to them, by combining security reinforcement, community
engagement, and eco-tourism development, the collaboration between ANI
Foundation and the National Park Service is setting a new standard for
environmental protection.
What was once a forest under threat is now a beacon of hope for
conservationists, researchers, and nature lovers alike, they note.
Stakeholders in tourism industry also agree that if sustained, Okomu model
could be replicated in other national parks across the country, ensuring
that the country’s rich biodiversity is preserved for future generations.
As efforts continue to safeguard Okomu’s natural heritage, one thing is
clear. When conservation is done right, it benefits not just the
environment but also the people who depend on it, stakeholders believe.