Wild Africa, a wildlife conservation organisation, has projected that Nigeria’s journey and tourism sector will create 2.6 million new jobs over the subsequent decade and generate almost N12.3 trillion ($8.2 billion) by 2032.
Festus Iyorah, Nigeria’s Consultant at Wild Africa, disclosed this in an announcement on Monday, throughout the World Wildlife Day 2025 occasion in Lagos.
He emphasised the necessity for elevated funding in wildlife conservation to drive financial progress and defend Nigeria’s iconic species.
Wildlife getting ready to extinction
Iyorah famous that Africa’s wildlife populations have declined by 76% over the previous 50 years, citing the 2024 Residing Planet Report.
- He warned that Nigeria’s state of affairs is dire, with species reminiscent of lions, elephants, chimpanzees, and gorillas going through extinction.
“For instance, Nigeria’s elephant inhabitants has declined by 99%, with solely about 300–400 elephants remaining within the wild,” he mentioned.
- Iyorah emphasised that sustainably managing pure sources and preserving wildlife and wild areas is crucial for fostering a worthwhile wildlife economic system with sturdy progress potential.
He warned that with out rapid funding in conservation, species loss would speed up, resulting in devastating penalties for each nature and economies that depend on pure sources.
Africa’s ecotourism trade driving financial progress
Throughout Africa, 80% of vacationers go to the continent for its wildlife, fueling an ecotourism trade price $12.4 billion yearly, which helps native economies and communities.
“In Kenya, wildlife tourism contributes 10.4% to GDP, using thousands and thousands and producing $2.7 billion in 2023,” Iyorah mentioned, stressing the financial advantages of conservation.
- He highlighted that Nigeria’s journey and tourism sector is projected to develop at a median fee of 5.4% between 2022 and 2032, underscoring its important potential to drive financial progress.
“The sector is anticipated to create 2.6 million new jobs over the subsequent decade and generate almost N12.3 trillion ($8.2 billion) by 2032,” he added.
- Iyorah highlighted Wild Africa’s ongoing efforts to advertise and defend Nigeria’s wildlife and wild areas, leveraging radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service bulletins (PSAs) to boost consciousness.
As a part of this marketing campaign, influential Nigerian ambassadors reminiscent of 2Baba and Nela Duke Ekpenyong are being featured to showcase Nigeria’s wildlife tourism potential and the necessity for conservation efforts.
Companies should prioritise conservation – Specialists
He quoted Dr. Mark Ofua, Wild Africa’s West Africa Spokesperson, as saying: “Conservation is a symphony, and all arms have to be on deck. Companies should see conservation efforts as their company social accountability, working with governments, conservation organisations, and people. Collectively, we are able to harmonise our efforts, mobilise sources, and create a resilient future for our planet’s valuable biodiversity.”
Iyorah additionally cited Peter Knights, Chief Government Officer of Wild Africa, who burdened the essential significance of conservation, stating:
“With out nature, we is not going to survive. Whether or not it’s countering our carbon footprints, safeguarding our watersheds, sustaining jobs in tourism, or maintaining fishing at sustainable ranges—investing in conservation in Africa isn’t charity, it’s a necessity. A world with out wildlife is not only an ecological catastrophe; it’s an financial one, too.”
As a part of efforts to mark World Wildlife Day 2025, Iyorah urged the Nigerian public to help sustainable ecotourism by visiting nationwide parks, donating to native conservation organisations, or volunteering to assist protect the nation’s wealthy biodiversity.
Be First to Comment