List of national parks of Nigeria
There are several national parks of Nigeria. The Nigeria National Park Service (NNPS) is responsible for preserving, enhancing, protecting and managing vegetation and wild animals in the national parks of Nigeria.[1] The NNPS is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of the Environment, and is headed by a Conservator General.[2] It works closely with the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation.[3]
The first national park was Kainji Lake, established by the military ruler General Olusegun Obasanjo in 1979. The National Parks Governing Board and five new National Parks were set up in 1991.
Yankari Game Reserve was upgraded to a national park in 1992, although it was later handed over to the Bauchi State Government in June 2006.
The parks cover a total land area of approximately 20,156 km2, or about 3% of Nigeria's total land area.[4]
Parks
| Park | Area km2 | Established | State(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Basin | 2,258 | 1991 | Borno, Yobe | Includes part of the Hadejia-Nguru wetlands and the Sambisa Game Reserve |
| Cross River | 4,000 | 1991 | Cross River | Okavango section and Oban section (1,906 km²) |
| Gashaka Gumti | 6,731 | 1991 | Taraba, Adamawa | |
| Kainji | 5,382 | 1979 | Niger, Kwara | Includes Kainji Lake, Borgu Game Reserve and Zugurma Game Reserve |
| Kamuku | 1,121 | 1999 | Kaduna | |
| Okomu | 181 | 1999 | Edo | Part of the Okomu Forest Reserve |
| Old Oyo | 2,512 | 1991 | Oyo, Kwara | |
| Yankari | 2,244 | 1962 | Bauchi | Operated by the Bauchi State government |
References
- ↑ "Functions". Nigeria National Park Service. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ↑ Mustapha Suleiman (29 October 2009). "National Parks Governing Board Inaugurated". Daily Trust. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ↑ Wale Olapade (8 September 2010). "NPC reaffirms partnership with NTDC". Nigerian Tribune. Retrieved 2010-10-21.
- ↑ "Evolution of Parks in Nigeria". Nigeria National Park Service. Retrieved 2010-10-21.