Follow Us on Google
The Federal Government has inaugurated Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu as Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Park Service (NPS), marking a strategic shift in Nigeria’s conservation and eco-tourism efforts.
The swearing-in ceremony was held on August 1 at the Federal Ministry of Environment in Abuja, with the Minister, Balarabe Abbas Lawal and the Permanent Secretary, Mahmud Adam Kambari, in attendance.
Dr. Ononogbu now leads an 11-member board comprising representatives from key ministries including environment, interior, and forestry, and institutions like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria. Two members also represent public interest.
Speaking after the inauguration, Ononogbu declared: “We are determined to make Nigeria’s National Parks a global model of biodiversity protection, eco-tourism excellence and community-driven conservation.”
He outlined the board’s mission to promote sustainable park management through innovation, strategic investment and community partnerships.
Emphasising security as a top priority, especially in the North, he said: “We cannot promote tourism without addressing safety.” He added that drone and GPS surveillance and local intelligence networks would be deployed.
Other plans include developing eco-lodges, improving infrastructure and launching global campaigns to attract visitors, generate employment and boost national development.
With over two decades of experience in finance and governance, Dr. Ononogbu brings a wealth of expertise to the role. He previously served as General Manager (Risk Management) and acting Executive Director at Spring Bank Plc and is the current All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Abia State. He holds a Doctorate degree in Business Administration (Healthcare Management) from Walden University, USA, and has attended top institutions, such as the Kellogg School of Management and Citibank School of Banking.
