Okomu National Park in Edo State undergoes remarkable transformation, as collaborative conservation efforts reduce illegal activities and boost local empowerment

Okomu National Park, located in the Ovia South West Local Government Area of Edo State, is a biodiversity treasure that had long been overlooked.

Despite its rich ecological value and immense potential for tourism, the park had faced grave threats such as illegal logging, poaching, and encroachment.

These activities endangered the park’s unique ecosystem, home to rare species like the endangered African forest elephant and the white-throated monkey, one of the world’s most endangered primates.

The situation has drastically changed, thanks to a strategic collaboration between the Okomu National Park Service (NPS) and the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation.

Beginning in 2022, this partnership has worked tirelessly to restore the park’s integrity, protect its biodiversity, and empower local communities while developing eco-tourism opportunities.

The Okomu National Park, designated as a protected area in 1999, spans 200 square kilometres. Unfortunately, illegal logging and poaching had ravaged its natural resources, significantly threatening the park’s diverse species.

A 2020 report by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) revealed how timber merchants exploited the park’s valuable hardwood while poachers targeted wildlife for bushmeat.

These illegal activities contributed to widespread deforestation and pushed many species to the brink of extinction.

Lawrence Osaze, the Conservator of the Park, shared his concern: “When I resumed duty in November 2022, illegal logging was a major challenge, and we had to find a sustainable solution.”

Recognising the urgency, the National Park Service sought help from experienced conservation organisations like the ANI Foundation, known for their successful eco-tourism and conservation initiatives in Gashaka Gumti National Park.

The ANI Foundation wasted no time in implementing essential measures to safeguard the park. Among the first actions was reinforcing security by hiring and training 38 additional rangers. Equipped with modern surveillance tools, these rangers have significantly reduced illegal logging and wildlife hunting.

“The partnership has transformed the situation. The park is relatively peaceful, and logging activities have decreased drastically,” Osaze noted. Before ANI’s intervention, rangers were often outnumbered and under-resourced, but the new strategies have turned the tide.

Importantly, ANI’s efforts go beyond security. The foundation recognised that the park’s challenges were closely tied to the local community’s economic dependence on the forest.

To address this, ANI introduced community-driven livelihood initiatives, including savings and loan programmes, particularly for women and youth. These initiatives help local people establish small businesses, expand farms, and diversify income sources, reducing their reliance on forest resources.

The impact of ANI’s work is evident in the local communities surrounding Okomu National Park. Chief Patrick Igbinidu, the Iyase (traditional ruler) of Udo, praised the ANI Foundation for their role in improving both security and economic opportunities in the region.

“Many of our youths have been employed as rangers, and women have been supported with interest-free loans,” he said.

These empowerment programmes have shifted local perceptions of the park from a government-imposed restriction to a source of economic growth and stability.

Okomu’s biodiversity is unparalleled, with the park being home to the white-throated monkey and the African forest elephant, both flagship species of global conservation importance. According to Peter Abanyam, ANI Foundation’s Project Manager for Okomu, these species are crucial to the park’s appeal.

“Okomu is the primary home of the white-throated monkey. Apart from a small population in the south-western part of the country, this park is where you find them in the world,” he explained.

The collaboration between ANI and the National Park Service also aims to develop eco-tourism as a sustainable revenue source for the park. Plans are underway to upgrade park facilities, enhance visitor experiences, and market Okomu as a must-visit eco-tourism destination.

By attracting both domestic and international tourists, this initiative promises to bring significant economic benefits to the region while promoting the park’s conservation.

Abanyam emphasised that the long-term success of this partnership depends on continued vigilance against illegal activities and the expansion of alternative livelihood programmes for local communities. “We want to show that conservation can be sustainable and beneficial to local communities through private sector investment,” he stated.

The transformation of Okomu National Park demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in conservation. By combining enhanced security, community engagement, and eco-tourism development, this collaboration is setting a new standard for environmental protection in Nigeria. What was once a forest under threat is now a beacon of hope for conservationists, researchers, and nature lovers alike.

If the current efforts are sustained, stakeholders in the tourism industry believe that the Okomu model could be replicated across other national parks in Nigeria, ensuring the preservation of the country’s rich biodiversity for future generations.

As the project continues to evolve, one thing is clear: when done right, conservation not only protects the environment but also improves the livelihoods of the people who depend on it.