Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has endorsed plans to establish the first National Park in Nigeria’s South-East region, with Abia State positioned as the potential host.
Governor Otti gave his approval on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, when he received a delegation from the National Park Service, led by the Chairman of its Governing Council, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, at the Governor’s Office.
The Governor described the proposal as timely and assured the delegation that the Abia State Government would provide the necessary support to move the initiative forward.
The proposed National Park initiative also aligns with the state government’s ongoing efforts to identify, trace and conserve its forest reserves. Governor Otti disclosed that he had earlier approved a request from the Commissioner for Environment to commence the tracing and identification of forest reserves across Abia.
According to the Governor, the state has 19 forest reserves, with 18 currently available for consideration. He noted that the development presents a significant opportunity to establish conservation areas across the state’s 17 Local Government Areas.
“Coincidences just keep happening. Earlier this morning, I approved a request from the Honourable Commissioner for Environment for the tracing of forest reserves. Clearly, there is somewhere to start from,” the Governor said.
To facilitate the process, Governor Otti directed the Commissioner for Environment to collaborate with the National Park Service and relevant environmental experts to identify the most suitable location for the proposed park.
He also announced plans for the state government to constitute a dedicated team, led by the Commissioner for Environment and supported by climate change and environmental specialists, to coordinate efforts toward establishing the conservation facility.
The Governor emphasised that environmental protection must remain a key component of development planning, warning that technological advancement cannot permanently overcome the forces of nature.
“Nature is something you cannot do away with. Sometimes, when you think you have overcome nature through technology, nature will still rise. That is why conservation is very important,” Otti stated.
He thanked the National Park Service for bringing the initiative to Abia and congratulated ACG Ugochukwu Michael on his elevation to the rank of Assistant Conservator-General.
Governor Otti further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability, responsible management of natural resources and the protection of Abia’s ecological heritage.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Park Service, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, commended Governor Otti for what he described as significant achievements recorded by his administration over the past three years.
Ononogbu said the delegation’s visit was partly to remind the Governor of his earlier commitment to supporting the establishment of a National Park in Abia State.
He observed that the South-East currently has no National Park, describing the situation as a major gap that needs to be addressed.
“The South-East has zero in having a national park. This is a glaring omission that must be corrected, and Abia State, under your leadership, is best positioned to pioneer this change,” Ononogbu said.
According to him, establishing a National Park in Abia would provide greater representation for the South-East within Nigeria’s national conservation framework while creating new employment and professional opportunities for people across the region.
Beyond environmental protection, the National Park Service chairman highlighted the potential economic and social benefits of the proposed project. These, he said, could include job creation, increased government revenue, tourism development, investment opportunities, improved security and a reduction in criminal activities around protected areas.
Ononogbu therefore requested that the Abia State Government identify an appropriate forest or game reserve that could be considered for conversion or upgrade into a National Park.
He also called for the establishment of a joint committee involving the state government and the National Park Service, as well as the submission of a formal proposal to the Minister of Environment or the Conservator-General of the National Park Service.
The meeting was attended by the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, alongside other members of the Abia State Executive Council.
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If successfully implemented, the proposed National Park could mark a significant milestone in Abia’s environmental conservation efforts while opening new opportunities for ecotourism, employment, investment and sustainable development across the state.
