The Nigerian Association of Zoological Gardens and Wildlife Parks (NAZAP), had risen from its meeting, held in the National Children’s Zoo and Park, Asokoro, Abuja, fixing its Annual General Meeting (AGM) for Abuja, in November, 2026.
This was stated in a communique of the meeting released to the press in Abuja, as signed by Mr. Andy Ehanire, Secretary of the association.
Presided over by Mallam Ali Lawal Yola, NAZAP’s Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, the meeting endorsed survival plans for Nigeria’s critically endangered species, which the body recognised as the bane of nature conservation.
The discussions also accepted the need for deeper synergy beyond government, to corporate bodies, and local and global donors, in the efforts to rescue endangered species, within their natural habitats, by creating more protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries etc., and preserving species outside their natural habitats, such as existing zoos and botanical gardens, which numbers are increasing.
A 12-man Local Organizing Committee (LOC) was thereby set up, with NAZAP’s members drawn from the country’s six geopolitical zones, to organise the AGM.
Dr. Ali Kabiru was appointed its Chairman, and Dr. Abidemi Kehinde, Secretary.
Other members were Mr. Henry Erikowa of Falcorp Park-Warri; Mr. Musa Hussaini of Birnin Kebbi Zoo; Dr Abubakar of Gombe Zoo; Dr. Henrietta Oyebode (University of Ibadan Zoo); Mal. Nura Lawal-Kano Zoo; Alh Ali Abacha Donbest-Maiduguri Zoo; a Port Harcourt Zoo Representative; Dr. Joseph Onoh (Enugu Zoo); Mr. Sikiru Raji – Qbrat Zoo, and Faizu Abdulwahab of Kano Zoo.
Earlier on, in the meeting also anchored by the Chairman of NAZAP’s interim Executive Council, Alh Sulaiman Abubakar Fagge, a-minute-silence was observed in memory of demised officials of the body; Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, patron; BOT member, Mr. Timothy Nyam of Jos Wildlife Park, and Dr. Olabode Olawuyi, former Public Relations Officer.
The association immediately paid condolence visits to the family of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, and Management of the Abuja-based BMT Zoo, owned by the late conservationist and politician.
Also present in the meeting were President of the Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WISON), Prof Jayeola Omotola Abiola, and its Secretary, Mr. Jacob Orimaye; President of the Society for Conservation Biology, Dr. Abubakar Ringim, and Comrade Tony Erha, a journalist and environmentalist.
