Daud Olatunji
A leading scholar in Wildlife Ecology and Biodiversity Conservation, Prof. Omotola Jayeola, has called for the enactment of national legislation to ban open grazing in Nigeria, advocating for wildlife ranching as a sustainable alternative.
Prof. Jayeola made this call while delivering the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta’s (FUNAAB) 93rd Inaugural Lecture on August 21, 2024.
In his lecture titled “The Tragedy of Consumption and Conservation: A Paradox of Community Emancipation,” Prof. Jayeola, of the Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, College of Environmental Resources Management (COLERM), urged the Federal Government to encourage states to adopt laws that would prohibit open grazing, akin to practices in other parts of the world.
He emphasized the urgent need for national legislation to back this initiative, noting that the integration of wildlife ranching into national policy could play a pivotal role in conserving the environment and ensuring food security.
“Integrate wildlife ranching into the rules of engagement as a means to conserve game and the environment for food security,” Prof. Jayeola asserted.
The conservationist criticized the current trend of prioritizing production over conservation, warning that this approach has led to severe environmental degradation and threatens biodiversity.
He stressed that preserving biodiversity is essential to preventing the extinction of species, which is critical for maintaining ecological balance.
Drawing on his extensive experience, including his tenure as the Director of FUNAAB Zoo Park, Prof. Jayeola advocated for comprehensive land use planning.
He proposed the demarcation of specific zones for agriculture, plantations, buildings, academic structures, and nature reserves to protect indigenous flora and fauna.
He also called for amendments to the Land Use Act to clearly delineate land administration responsibilities among federal, state, and local authorities.
Prof. Jayeola further recommended the activation of the Eriti Watershed Community Forest Model to safeguard community resources.
He urged intervention agencies to focus on activities that encourage rural communities to support conservation efforts, particularly in protected catchment areas, without compromising food production.
The lecture highlighted the need for greater synergy among government agencies and non-governmental organizations involved in conservation efforts.
Prof. Jayeola called for enhanced collaboration between the National Park Service, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Agro Ranger, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), and organizations like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and African Nature Investors (ANI).
He praised the Federal Ministry of Environment, especially the Federal Department of Forestry, for their role in fostering inter-agency cooperation in enforcing the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor of FUNAAB, Prof. Babatunde Kehinde, who chaired the event, commended Prof. Jayeola’s contributions to ecology and biodiversity conservation in Nigeria.
He noted that Prof. Jayeola’s research has taken him to nearly all of the country’s protected areas and garnered international recognition, with engagements from organizations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), and the World Health Organisation (WHO).
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Dr. Ibrahim Goni, Conservator-General of the Nigeria National Park Service; Prof. Deji Omole, Chairman of Governing Council, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH); Prof. Chiedu Mafiana, Former Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC); and Bishop (Prof.) Adewale Solarin, among others.
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