Oba Hills National Park: Host Communities Demand 70% of Jobs for Indigenes

Traditional rulers from communities hosting Oba Hills National Park have urged the Federal Government to reserve 70 per cent of employment opportunities linked to the park for indigenes of the host communities.

The monarchs made the demand on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a courtesy visit to the Conservator General of the National Park Service at the service’s headquarters in Abuja. They said local residents should benefit directly from the park’s operations and conservation activities.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Secretary of the Oba Hills Traditional Council, Shedrack Adebayo Adelakun, welcomed the park’s elevation to national park status, describing it as an opportunity to protect the area’s natural heritage while improving the livelihoods of surrounding communities.

According to the rulers, the designation could promote wildlife conservation, ecological restoration, scientific research, environmental education and nature-based tourism. They added that these activities could generate jobs, provide skills training and support community-based businesses.

The monarchs also highlighted the planting of 11,000 indigenous seedlings, saying the initiative could help restore degraded vegetation, protect soil and water resources, improve wildlife habitats and strengthen the environment’s resilience to climate change. They called on the National Park Service to maintain and monitor the seedlings and protect them against bushfires and grazing to ensure their survival.

Beyond employment, the traditional rulers called for regular consultations involving park officials, traditional institutions, community representatives and other stakeholders. They said sustained engagement would help resolve concerns, prevent disputes and strengthen cooperation between the park authorities and host communities.

The rulers further sought clear demarcation of the park’s internal and external boundaries where necessary, citing concerns about possible land disputes and reported mining interests around Akinleve Town. They also asked the government to clarify its position on continued farming in areas where seedlings had been planted and address concerns about the destruction of existing vegetation by exotic tree species.

They also appealed for development projects in host communities and budgetary consideration for traditional rulers. Adelakun said the communities’ demands were intended to encourage partnership rather than confrontation, adding that traditional institutions were prepared to promote peaceful relations, discourage illegal activities and mobilise residents, particularly young people, to support conservation.

The traditional rulers expressed hope that Oba Hills National Park would become a model for ecological restoration and community-supported conservation in Nigeria, with environmental protection pursued alongside the legitimate economic and development needs of surrounding communities.