Foundation champions women’s upliftment in Gashaka Gumti

In the lush expanse of Gashaka Gumti National Park, where the savannah meets the mountain mists, a quiet revolution, as noticed by The Guardian, is taking root, one led by women.

The Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation is charting a bold course in conservation by placing women at the heart of its efforts to protect one of Nigeria’s most biodiverse national parks.

This commitment was on full display recently in the northern sector of the park which is located in Toungo local government council of Adamawa State, where ANI Foundation unveiled a new Women’s Centre in the park.

The centre, a hub for training, economic empowerment, and community development, marks a milestone in ANI’s ongoing partnership with local women in both Adamawa and Taraba states.

At the commissioning ceremony, 450 women received livelihood support under a scheme designed not only to uplift families but to enhance the conservation mission of the park.

“This programme was designed to empower women, promote community resilience, and provide alternative livelihoods to support the conservation of the park,” said David Peter, ANI Foundation’s Deputy Project Manager.

Peter’s remarks highlight a growing recognition: that environmental preservation and women’s empowerment are intertwined. When women are equipped with skills and opportunities, the ripple effects extend to families, communities, and ecosystems.

Representing the Conservator-General of the National Park Service (NPS), Assistant Conservator-General Dr. Mohammed Kabir praised ANI’s commitment as a shared vision for economic transformation.

He cited previous ANI initiatives, including an October 2023 empowerment program in Taraba State’s Gashaka Local Government Area, where over 1,000 women received tools, agro-processing equipment, and vocational training.

The breadth of ANI’s impact doesn’t stop there. According to Kabir, the ANI-NPS partnership has facilitated the vaccination of over 100,000 cattle and recruited over 70 youths as park rangers—integrating environmental conservation with community well-being.

“The Foundation’s initiatives show that conservation is more than just protecting landscapes—it’s about investing in people,” added Adamawa State Commissioner for Women’s Affairs, Mrs. Nedo Kafulto, who hailed the Women’s Centre as a “transformative step” for the region.

Since 2017, ANI Foundation’s alliance with Gashaka Gumti National Park has aimed to align conservation goals with human development. Park Conservator Amos D. Hamman emphasized this approach: “By supporting sustainable livelihoods around the park, we foster greater appreciation and protection of our natural heritage.”

For ANI Foundation, women are not passive beneficiaries; they are central agents of change. Dr. George Okeyoyin, Senior Strategic Adviser at ANI, put it succinctly: “Effective conservation must respect and incorporate the contributions of women.”

This philosophy is also mirrored by ANI’s implementing partner, ROSHAN Renewable Energy. Managing Director Happy Amos revealed that women’s savings and loan groups in Toungo have collectively saved over N30 million in just one year.

The initiative avoids direct cash handouts, opting instead for low-interest loans tailored to women’s entrepreneurial needs—fostering long-term economic empowerment. The impact is visible on the ground.

Grace Emmanuel, one of the beneficiaries, shared that the support allowed her to start a thriving business. “I can now provide for my family and look to the future with hope,” she said.

Another participant, Florence Dauda, reflected on the community’s transformation: “We used to envy the women in Gashaka. Today, we are proud to showcase our own products, thanks to ANI Foundation.”