Balarabe Abbas Lawal, on Friday, called for renewed collaboration, strict environmental protection and sustained security efforts to safeguard Nigeria’s largest national park, Gashaka Gumti National Park, and other protected areas across the country.
Lawal made the call while speaking on the growing threats facing Nigeria’s conservation sites, including illegal logging, poaching, encroachment and insecurity, which continue to undermine biodiversity conservation and eco tourism development.
He stressed that protecting Gashaka Gumti National Park, located across Taraba and Adamawa states, requires a coordinated approach involving federal and state governments, security agencies, host communities, conservation organisations and development partners. According to him, no single institution can effectively address the complex environmental and security challenges confronting the park.
The minister emphasised the need for strict enforcement of environmental laws and regulations to curb activities that degrade protected ecosystems. He noted that Nigeria’s national parks are critical not only for wildlife conservation but also for climate resilience, water security and sustainable livelihoods for surrounding communities.
Lawal also underscored the importance of sustained security operations within and around protected areas to prevent criminal activities and ensure the safety of park rangers, researchers and tourists. He said improved security would encourage investment in eco tourism and enhance the economic value of conservation efforts.
He further called for greater community engagement, urging residents of host communities to see themselves as partners in conservation. Lawal said empowering local communities through education, alternative livelihoods and benefit sharing would strengthen ownership and reduce pressures on protected areas.
Gashaka Gumti National Park, the largest in Nigeria and one of the most biologically diverse in West Africa, is home to rare and endangered species and serves as a vital ecological asset for the country. Lawal reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to protect the park and ensure that Nigeria’s protected areas are preserved for present and future generations.
