The National Park Service (NPS) has assured host communities around Oba Hills National Park in Osun State of opportunities for employment, participation in park management and sustainable forest-based livelihoods.
The Conservator-General of the NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by traditional rulers and community stakeholders from the Oba Hills area to the Service’s headquarters in Abuja. Discussions focused on community welfare, boundary disputes, conservation, recruitment and the economic benefits of the park’s upgraded status.
Speaking under the Park Community Relations Programme, Goni stressed the importance of sustained dialogue between park authorities and host communities, describing mutual understanding as essential to preventing land-related conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“Instead of having conflicts, discussions tend to bring peace and reduce disputes,” Goni said, noting that the Nigerian Government takes land management issues seriously and remains committed to addressing legitimate community concerns.
From Forest Reserve To National Park
Tracing the history of Oba Hills, Goni said the area was first designated as a forest reserve in 1923 during the colonial era before being upgraded to national park status under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
He explained that the establishment of 10 additional national parks nationwide had strengthened Nigeria’s biodiversity conservation efforts and positioned Oba Hills as an important environmental asset for Osun State, its host communities and the wider South-West region.
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“The park’s designation should not be seen merely as a restriction on land use but as an opportunity to promote environmental protection, ecotourism, employment and sustainable economic development,” the Conservator-General said.
Goni maintained that effective collaboration between park authorities and local residents would be crucial to achieving these objectives.
Addressing concerns over employment, the Conservator-General disclosed that the NPS was collaborating with relevant state authorities on arrangements to integrate former forest reserve personnel under the state Ministry of Environment into the federal civil service.
He also assured the visiting traditional rulers that host communities’ interests would be considered in recruitment processes, while noting that appointments into federal institutions must comply with federal character principles, established recruitment procedures and applicable quotas.
The assurance comes amid calls by community leaders for greater access to employment for residents of towns and villages surrounding the park.
The traditional rulers requested that 70 per cent of employment opportunities at the park be reserved for indigenes of the host communities, arguing that local participation would strengthen community ownership and support conservation efforts
Park Administration
In a move aimed at strengthening community participation, Goni outlined a proposed management structure that would give traditional institutions and local stakeholders a more direct role in the administration of Oba Hills National Park.
Under the proposed arrangement, a prominent traditional ruler from the host area would chair the Park Management Committee following a recommendation by the state governor to the President.
On environmental restoration, Goni disclosed that an expert committee established to examine exotic tree species within the park had submitted its report to the Minister of Environment.
He said the proposed removal of non-native tree species would proceed following ministerial approval, with the aim of restoring indigenous vegetation and improving the park’s ecological integrity.
The Conservator-General also highlighted ongoing reforestation efforts and plans to involve local residents, particularly women and young people, in sustainable livelihood initiatives.
He explained that community members would be organised into cooperative groups and trained, under park supervision, to harvest and market non-timber forest products, including bush mangoes and medicinal herbs.
The initiative is intended to create income-generating opportunities while discouraging activities that degrade the forest.
Presenting a joint address on behalf of the host communities, the Seceratary Traditional Ruler Oba Hills Mr Shedrach Adelakun, and His Royal Majesty Oba Nafiu Taofeeq expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Government and the National Park Service for the park’s upgrade.
They highlighted conservation achievements in the area, including the planting of 11,000 indigenous seedlings facilitated through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), with support from FR2N, IHS Towers and Polaris Bank.
While welcoming the conservation initiative, the traditional rulers stressed that clear boundaries, local employment and visible community development were essential to securing lasting cooperation.
Their key requests included reserving 70 per cent of park employment opportunities for host-community indigenes, urgently demarcating the park’s boundaries and prioritising physical development projects in surrounding communities.
They specifically called for boundary clarification in areas affected by mining interests, including Akinleye Town, to reduce the risk of land disputes and prevent misunderstandings between residents and park authorities.
The traditional rulers also requested formal budgetary support for royal institutions that assist with park security, community engagement and dispute resolution.
In addition, they sought clear timelines for the proposed removal of exotic tree species, stressing the need for timely information to enable communities to understand and support the restoration programme.
The traditional rulers pledged to work with park authorities to promote conservation awareness and encourage residents, particularly young people, to view Oba Hills National Park as an opportunity for economic development rather than simply a restriction on access to land and forest resources.
They emphasised that community education, transparent administration and fair access to opportunities would be critical to preventing conflicts and ensuring that conservation efforts deliver tangible benefits to local people.
The traditional rulers also commended Ag Conservator of Park Oba Hills Mr Olakunle Azeez for what they described as their professional and community-oriented approach to park administration.
