In a landmark step for wildlife conservation in Northern Nigeria, West African Conservation Network (WACN) has signed a 35-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bauchi State Government (BASG) to jointly manage, restore, and expand Sumu Wildlife Park, located in Ganjuwa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The long-term agreement marks the beginning of a new era for Sumu — one that promises to secure its landscapes, restore wildlife populations, and reposition it as a premier centre for conservation, research, and sustainable eco-tourism in Nigeria.
Speaking during the signing ceremony in Bauchi, Ms. Justina Elachi, Project Manager, WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project, described the partnership as “a bold commitment to transform Sumu Wildlife Park into the most secure and scientifically managed protected area in Northern Nigeria.”
“We are not just conserving wildlife; we are rebuilding an ecosystem, empowering communities, and setting a new benchmark for protected-area management in West Africa,” Elachi said.
“Through this partnership, WACN will mobilize national and international funding to transform Sumu into a thriving hub for biodiversity restoration, eco-tourism, and job creation.”
Under the MoU, WACN will spearhead efforts to:
– Strengthen ranger training, equipment, and security
operations;
– Restore native ecosystems and manage existing wildlife
scientifically;
– Develop new infrastructure including fencing, patrol bases,
and tourism facilities;
– Build sustainable community partnerships in surrounding
areas; and
– Establish Sumu as a centre for applied conservation
research and monitoring.
A New Chapter for Bauchi’s Conservation Future
Mr. Naziru Zakari Muhammad, General Manager of Sumu
Wildlife Park, described the MoU as “the turning point Sumu
has been waiting for.”
“The coming of WACN is the rebirth of Sumu Wildlife Park,” he said.
“For years we have kept the park alive with limited means. With this partnership, Sumu will finally rise to its full potential — our rangers will be empowered, our wildlife will rebound, and our communities will share directly in the benefits.”
Mr. Zakari commended Bauchi State Government for its unwavering support and reaffirmed its readiness to provide the political and administrative backing needed to make the collaboration a success.
He emphasized that the government has already strengthened water systems for wildlife and is
committed to improving access, law enforcement, and coordination with local communities as part of the park’s long-term development plan.
Communities at the Heart of Conservation
The partnership places local communities at the centre of Sumu’s transformation. WACN and BASG will work together to create a functional buffer zone that promotes coexistence between wildlife and surrounding villages — offering new livelihoods, education, and conservation awareness
opportunities.
A Community Advisory Council will also be established to ensure local participation, transparency, and benefit-sharing as development unfolds.
“When I informed the village heads that WACN was coming on board, they were overjoyed,” Zakari said. “For the first time since the park’s creation, they will see tangible investment, international collaboration, and genuine inclusion in conservation.”
A Model for Nigeria’s Protected Areas
The 35-year MoU will be implemented through a Joint Management Committee (JMC) made up of representatives from WACN and Bauchi State Government. The partnership highlights Bauchi’s leadership in conservation reform and WACN’s growing reputation as a trusted partner in protected-area recovery.
This agreement follows WACN’s successful 31-year MoU with the Nigeria National Park Service (NNPS) for the co-management of Kainji Lake National Park, further positioning WACN as one of the most dynamic conservation institutions in West Africa.
The WACN–BASG partnership is expected to deliver:
– Hundreds of direct and indirect jobs;
– Enhanced land security and anti-poaching operations;
– Growth in eco-tourism and state revenue;
– Greater international visibility for Bauchi; and
– A replicable model for community-led conservation in
Nigeria.
“Sumu Wildlife Park will stand as a symbol of what can be achieved when visionary leadership meets professional conservation management,” Elachi concluded. “This is not just a partnership — it is a legacy for the people and wildlife of Bauchi State.”