The additional parks are aimed at regulating Nigeria’s fauna and flora ecosystems, which are threatened by degradation and disappearance due to deforestation, as well as developing adequate tourism infrastructure in line with international best practices. The establishment of the parks will also help protect and preserve Nigeria’s biodiversity and natural heritage.
The motion for the establishment of the national parks was presented by Gobir Abdullahi, a senator from Sokoto state, who noted that the parks were necessary to address the fast rate of degradation of Nigeria’s forests.
The parks will be named Alawa National Park, Apoi National Park, Edumenun National Park, Galgore National Park, Hadejia Wetland National Park, Kempe National Park, Kogo National Park, Marhi National Park, Oba Hill National Park, and Pandam National Park.
The establishment of the national parks is in line with the National Park Service Act 2004, which provides for the concurrent of the National Assembly. The approval of the Senate is expected to pave the way for the establishment of the parks by the executive arm of government.
Reacting to the approval, environmentalists and conservationists hailed the move, saying it was a step in the right direction towards protecting Nigeria’s unique biodiversity. They called on the government to ensure that the parks are properly managed and funded to achieve their objectives.
Nigeria is home to several unique ecosystems, including rainforests, savannahs, wetlands, and mangroves, which support a wide variety of wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, gorillas, chimpanzees, and several bird species. However, these ecosystems are under threat from deforestation, climate change, and human activities such as hunting and poaching.
The establishment of the national parks is expected to provide a legal framework for the protection of these ecosystems and their wildlife, as well as promote sustainable tourism and economic development in the surrounding communities.
The Senate's approval of the establishment of the parks is expected to boost the country's efforts towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 15, which seeks to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.