By Abubakar Yunusa, Abuja
The West African Conservation Network has entered into a 35-year partnership with the Bauchi State Government to jointly manage, restore, and expand the Sumu Wildlife Park in Ganjuwa Local Government Area.
The agreement, signed in Bauchi, aims to transform Sumu into a leading centre for conservation, research, and sustainable eco-tourism in Nigeria.
Project Manager of the WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project, Ms Justina Elachi, described the deal as a “bold commitment to rebuild an ecosystem, empower communities, and set a new standard for conservation management in West Africa.”
Under the Memorandum of Understanding, WACN will strengthen ranger training and security, restore wildlife habitats, and develop new infrastructure including fencing, patrol bases, and tourism facilities.
Elachi said the partnership would “mobilise national and international funding to turn Sumu into a thriving hub for biodiversity restoration, eco-tourism, and job creation.”
The General Manager of Sumu Wildlife Park, Mr Naziru Zakari Muhammad, hailed the agreement as “the turning point Sumu has been waiting for.”
“For years, we kept the park alive with limited means. Now, with WACN’s support, our rangers will be empowered, our wildlife will rebound, and our communities will benefit directly,” he said.
Zakari commended the Bauchi State Government for its backing, adding that the state had already improved water systems for wildlife and pledged continued investment in access, law enforcement, and community engagement.
The partnership also places communities at the heart of the park’s revival, with plans for a Community Advisory Council and a buffer zone to promote coexistence between wildlife and surrounding villages.
“When I informed the village heads that WACN was coming on board, they were overjoyed,” Zakari said. “For the first time, they will see genuine investment and inclusion in conservation.”
A Joint Management Committee comprising representatives of both WACN and the state government will oversee the implementation of the MoU.
The 35-year agreement is expected to create hundreds of jobs, expand eco-tourism, boost state revenue, and position Bauchi as a model for community-led conservation in Nigeria.
Elachi concluded, “Sumu Wildlife Park will stand as a symbol of what can be achieved when visionary leadership meets professional conservation management.”
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