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Abdulazeez Abubakar
4 weeks ago
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Nigeria’s wildlife tourism to generate N12.3 trillion by 2032 – Wild Africa
Wild Africa, a wildlife conservation organisation, has projected that Nigeria’s travel and tourism sector will create 2.6 million new jobs over the next decade and generate nearly N12.3 trillion ($8.2 billion) by 2032.
Festus Iyorah, Nigeria’s Representative at Wild Africa, disclosed this in a statement on Monday, during the World Wildlife Day 2025 event in Lagos.
He emphasised the need for increased investment in wildlife conservation to drive economic growth and protect Nigeria’s iconic species.
This year’s 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.
Iyorah noted that Africa’s wildlife populations have declined by 76% over the past 50 years, citing the 2024 Living Planet Report.
He warned that Nigeria’s situation is dire, with species such as lions, elephants, chimpanzees, and gorillas facing extinction.
“For example, Nigeria’s elephant population has declined by 99 percent, with only about 300–400 elephants remaining in the wild,” he said.
Iyorah emphasised that sustainably managing natural resources and preserving wildlife and wild spaces is essential for fostering a profitable wildlife economy with strong growth potential.
He warned that without immediate investment in conservation, species loss would accelerate, leading to devastating consequences for both nature and economies that rely on natural resources.
https://businessday.ng/life-arts/article/nigerias-wildlife-tourism-to-generate-n12-3-trillion-by-2032-wild-africa/
