The Taraba State Government has formed a new partnership with the Africa Nature Investors (ANI) Foundation to protect the environment and boost eco-tourism in the state. This partnership was officially announced on Earth Day 2025, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties. The main focus of this collaboration is the Gashaka Gumti National Park, which stretches across both Taraba and Adamawa States.
The MoU, signed in March 2025, will see Taraba State and ANI Foundation working together on various projects. These include eco-tourism, culture, agriculture, pastoralism, education, and healthcare. The agreement also aims to tackle deforestation and combat the illegal wildlife trade. Through this partnership, both parties hope to make significant progress toward the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially in areas like addressing climate change, improving healthcare, promoting education, and fostering economic growth.
Gautier Mignot, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, visited Taraba State ahead of the MoU signing. He toured the Gashaka Gumti National Park and described it as “a jewel of nature” that is important to both Taraba and Adamawa States. He emphasized the park’s potential to generate income through eco-tourism and its ecological importance to the region.
The Governor of Taraba State, Agbu Kefas, welcomed the partnership and expressed his administration’s commitment to ensuring the success of the initiative. According to Governor Kefas, the Gashaka Gumti National Park is not just an environmental treasure but also an economic asset. He said the park could create jobs and attract investment to the state, benefiting the local communities while preserving the environment. He also assured that his government would work closely with ANI Foundation to ensure proper management of the park and ensure the benefits of conservation reach all areas of the state.
Tunde Morakinyo, the Executive Director of ANI Foundation, praised the state government for its vision in signing the MoU. He said the partnership would help Taraba State take the lead in Nigeria’s conservation efforts. Morakinyo noted that more states in Nigeria are now focusing on protecting biodiversity and managing national parks, seeing this as an opportunity to boost economic growth. He added that Taraba’s initiative would serve as a model for other states looking to align environmental conservation with sustainable development goals.
As Earth Day 2025 focused on the theme “Our Power, Our Planet,” Morakinyo said that the anniversary was a reminder of the urgent need to protect the planet, especially with the global target of tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030. He expressed hope that the Taraba State-ANI Foundation partnership would play a key role in advancing these goals in Nigeria.
Through this partnership, Taraba State is taking significant steps toward balancing environmental conservation with the needs of its people. The Gashaka Gumti National Park is seen as a crucial resource for both conservation and development. The MoU sets the stage for further collaboration that will benefit both the environment and the local communities by providing opportunities for sustainable economic activities.
In other news, troops recently arrested a wanted bandit in Taraba State. The arrest follows a series of security operations aimed at reducing criminal activities in the region. Meanwhile, a foundation in Kaduna has re-enrolled 300 vulnerable women into a health scheme that provides essential services. Also, donors have been sharing their experiences as part of efforts to include kidney transplant services in Nigeria’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS).
