Wildlife Day: Wild Africa says Investment in Conservation Needed To Protect Nigeria’s Iconic Species

Wild Africa, a Wildlife Conservation Organisation, says Nigeria’s iconic species need robust investment in conservation to protect them.

This is contained in a statement signed by Festus Iyorah, Nigeria’s Representative, Wild Africa, on the occasion of World Wildlife Day 2025 on Monday in Lagos.

Iyorah called on the Nigerian government, the private sector, and conservation organisations to increase their support for wildlife conservation initiatives to preserve Nigeria’s iconic species.

According to him, the 2025 theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” emphasises the essential role of innovative funding in protecting biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for both nature and humanity.

While alluding to the 2024 Living Planet Report, Iyorah said that Africa’s wildlife populations have declined by an alarming 76 per cent over the past 50 years.

“In Nigeria, the situation is dire, with several species, such as lions, elephants, chimpanzees, and gorillas, on the brink of extinction.

“For example, the country’s elephant population has declined by 99 percent, with only about 300-400 elephants surviving in the wild,” Iyorah said.

He stressed that without immediate investment in conservation, species loss will accelerate, leading to devastating consequences—not only for nature but also for economies that rely on natural resources.

“The stakes are high. In Africa, 80 per cent of tourists visit the continent for its wildlife, fueling the ecotourism industry that brings in $12.4 billion a year and sustains local economies and communities.

“In countries like Kenya, wildlife tourism accounts for 10.4 per cent of Kenya’s GDP, employing millions of people and generating $2.7 billion for the country in 2023.

“In Nigeria, travel and tourism’s contribution to the GDP is forecast to grow at an average rate of 5.4 per cent between 2022-2032, highlighting its significant potential to drive economic growth,” Iyorah said.

He said that the sector is expected to create 2.6 million new jobs over the next decade and bring in nearly ₦12.3 trillion ($8.2bn) by 2032.

He noted that continued sustainable management of natural resources and preserving wildlife and wild spaces were essential to fostering a profitable wildlife economy that can grow further.

Iyorah quoted Dr Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa Spokesperson as saying:

“Conservation is a symphony. All hands must be on deck. Businesses must see conservation efforts as their corporate social responsibility, working with governments, conservation organizations, and individuals.

“Together, we can harmonise our efforts, mobilize resources, and create a resilient future for our planet’s precious biodiversity.”

Iyorah said that Wild Africa is using a combination of radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service announcements (PSAs) to promote and protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces.

He added that the media campaign featured influential Nigerian ambassadors such as 2Baba, and Nela Duke Ekpenyong to highlight Nigeria’s wildlife tourism potential and the need to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces.

Iyorah also quoted Peter Knights, OBE, Chief Executive Officer, Wild Africa, as saying:

“Without nature we will not survive. Whether it’s countering our carbon footprints, safeguarding our watersheds, maintaining jobs in tourism or keeping fishing to sustainable levels.

“Investing in conservation in Africa isn’t charity—it’s a necessity. A world without wildlife is not just an ecological disaster – it’s an economic one, too.”

Iyorah urges the Nigerian public to participate in sustainable ecotourism by visiting the national parks and supporting local conservation organisations through donations or volunteering, as part of activities to mark the day.