WorldStage– The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting gender inclusion and equal opportunities across all sectors, including environmental management and conservation.
The Minister of Environment, Malam Balarabe Lawal, gave the assurance at the grand finale of the 2026 World Female Rangers’ Week (WFRW) in Abuja on Tuesday.
Lawal, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Salihu Usman, said the empowerment of women was not only a matter of equity but also a strategic investment in sustainable development.
“This year’s theme, ‘When Women Rise, Communities and Ecosystems Rise,’ is both timely and profound.
“It highlights the undeniable connection between women’s empowerment, community development and the effective protection of our natural resources.
“I commend the National Park Service (NPS) and all stakeholders for organising this important event in recognition of the invaluable contributions of female rangers to conservation and environmental sustainability.
“Across Nigeria and the world, female rangers continue to demonstrate exceptional courage, professionalism, resilience and leadership in safeguarding our forests, wildlife, protected areas and biodiversity,” he said.
Lawal said that, as frontline conservation officers, female rangers played a critical role in combating wildlife crime, promoting environmental awareness, supporting community engagement and strengthening ecosystem resilience.
He commended their dedication, saying it contributed significantly to national efforts aimed at preserving the country’s natural heritage for present and future generations.
“When women are provided with opportunities to lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, communities, institutions and ecosystems.”
The minister expressed satisfaction over the growing number of women serving in conservation and protected area management.
“Their achievements continue to inspire younger generations of women and girls to pursue careers in environmental protection, wildlife conservation, forestry and natural resource management.
“We must continue to remove barriers, promote inclusivity and ensure that women in conservation receive the recognition and support they deserve,” he said.
The Conservator-General (C-G) of the NPS, Dr Ibrahim Goni, said the service has taken deliberate and strategic steps to ensure that women were not merely included but truly empowered.
“In our parks, female rangers often excel in community engagement, earning the trust of local women and children who may feel intimidated by their male counterparts.
“They possess the remarkable ability to de-escalate conflicts through dialogue while remaining steadfast in the face of illegal activities.
“When a woman dons the ranger uniform, she becomes a symbol of hope not only for the ecosystems she protects but for every young girl who dreams of a career in conservation, science or security,” Goni said.
He said gender sensitivity had been incorporated into the service’s recruitment process, adding that recruitment policies had been actively reviewed to eliminate biases.
The Conservator of Parks (CP), Caroline Olory-Akwaji, said the 2026 WFRW celebration was a week-long event aimed at amplifying the voices of female rangers at the forefront of biodiversity conservation globally.
“It recognises the courage and dedication of female rangers who put their lives on the line to track poachers, monitor habitats and protect endangered species, while calling for greater support for them.
“They do this by undertaking anti-poaching patrols, research and ecological monitoring activities.
“These patrols could take days or even weeks of camping inside the forest to protect the parks from illegal activities,” she said.
Olory-Akwaji commended female rangers for being all-rounders who held their families together while protecting nature to ensure that future generations enjoyed the benefits of conservation.
“Today’s celebration of the WFRW is a call on all stakeholders to support female rangers and encourage more young women to join the ranger workforce to protect our biodiversity for current and future generations,” she said.
Also speaking, CP Maria Mamman, commended the C-G for appointing a good number of women to strategic management positions within the service.
