ECOTOURISM IN NIGERIA: THE OKOMU NATIONAL PARK CONTEXT
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Authors: Omolola Oluwakemi Ajayi, Jonathan Odafe Eveso
Keywords: ecotourism awareness, park management, tourist satisfaction, visitor satisfaction
Abstract: Nigeria is a country rich in biodiversity and diverse natural landscapes hence making her an ideal destination for ecotourism activities. The most popular sites for ecotourism in Nigeria are the national parks. While so many researches exist on the status of national parks round the world as well as their socioeconomic benefits to host countries and communities, there is a death of information with respect to Nigerian National Parks. This study thus assessed the status and significance of ecotourism in Okomu National Park: the smallest Nigerian Park. This survey employed the use of semi-structured questionnaire and In-depth Interview. A total of one hundred and seventy (170) copies of semi-structured questionnaire were used: fifty (50) and one hundred and twenty (120) for visitors and residents respectively; and was distributed using the simple random sampling technique. In-Depth Interviews were conducted with key Park staff. Data analysis included the use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The park recorded a total number of 11714 visitors form 1999 – 2014 (15 years); majority (88.3%) of whom are domestic tourists. The students’ populace has the highest representation of 90%; 66% of whom came about the knowledge of the site from their institution of learning. Visitors travel motive were mostly for the purpose of education/research (56%). Visitors’ attractions to the park are Forest elephants Loxodonta Africana cyclotis; White throated monkey Cercopithecus erythrogaster and the 140 feet high tree house. The ecotourism management strategies in the park include the use of code of conduct, conservation education, tour guidance, eco-lodges and environmental friendly transportation. Tourist influx do not influence trade and businesses in any way as acclaimed by 47.1% of the respondents. Likewise, almost no establishment such as souvenir shops, transport business, accommodation and hospitality facilities has been established by locals as a result of visitors’ influx. Ecotourism in Okomu National Park is still at an infant stage with respect to visitors’ influx and diversity when compared to national parks in countries like South Africa and Kenya. Its contribution to the socio-economic growth of support zone communities is almost nonexistent. The government of Nigeria, the National Park service (NPS) as well as Okomu National Park management should promote the ecotourism attractions in this park through improved advertisement/marketing programmes.