World Wildlife Day 2025: Investment in Conservation Needed to Protect Nigeria’s iconic species, says Wild Africa76% of Africa’s wildlife populations have been lost since 1970

On World Wildlife Day, the wildlife conservation organisation Wild Africa has called on the Nigerian government, the private sector, and conservation organizations to increase their support for wildlife conservation initiatives to preserve Nigeria’s iconic species.
This year’s theme, “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet,” emphasizes the essential role of innovative funding in protecting biodiversity and ensuring a sustainable future for both nature and humanity.

According to the 2024 Living Planet Report, Africa’s wildlife populations have declined by an alarming 76 percent 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.

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 percent of tourists visit the continent for its wildlife, fuelling 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 percent 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 forecasted to grow at an average rate of 5.4 percent between 2022-2032, highlighting its significant potential to drive economic growth.
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.
Continued sustainable management of natural resources and preserving wildlife and wild spaces are essential to fostering a profitable wildlife economy that can grow further.

Wild Africa’s West Africa Spokesperson, Dr. Mark Ofua, said: “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 harmonize our efforts, mobilize resources, and create a resilient future for our planet’s precious biodiversity.”

Wild Africa is using a combination of radio, TV, billboards, newspaper publications, and public service announcements (PSAs) featuring influential Nigerian ambassadors such as 2Baba, Nela Duke Ekpenyong, and other influential Nigerians to highlight Nigeria’s wildlife tourism potential and the need to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces.
The Chief Executive Officer of Wild Africa, Peter Knights OBE, emphasises, “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.”
On World Wildlife Day, Wild Africa urges the Nigerian public to participate in sustainable ecotourism by visiting the national parks and supporting local conservation organizations through donations or volunteering.