By Ifelayo JOSHUA and Danjuma AMODU
As part of activities for the 2026 World Female Rangers’ Week, NPS Abuja Command earlier visited Govt. Secondary School Kuchigoro, donating books, t-shirts and planting trees to inspire girls into conservation careers
ABUJA – The Federal Government 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 on Wednesday at the grand finale of the 2026 World Female Rangers’ Week, WFRW, in Abuja. He was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Salihu Usman.
Lawal 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,” he said.
He commended the National Park Service, NPS, and all stakeholders for organising the 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,” Lawal said.
He noted that as frontline conservation officers, female rangers play a critical role in combating wildlife crime, promoting environmental awareness, supporting community engagement and strengthening ecosystem resilience. Their dedication, he added, contributes significantly to national efforts to preserve the country’s natural heritage.
“When women are provided with opportunities to lead, innovate and contribute meaningfully, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, communities, institutions and ecosystems,” he stated.
The minister expressed satisfaction over the growing number of women serving in conservation and protected area management, saying 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 had taken deliberate and strategic steps to ensure that women are not merely included but truly empowered.
“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.
SCHOOL OUTREACH KICKS OFF WEEK’S ACTIVITIES
Earlier in the week, as part of the 2026 WFRW activities, the NPS Abuja Command paid a courtesy visit to Government Secondary School, Kuchigoro, Airport Road, Abuja.
The outreach was aimed at inspiring young girls to consider careers in conservation and environmental protection. Highlights included the donation of exercise books and branded t-shirts to students, as well as a tree-planting exercise within the school premises to promote environmental stewardship.
Goni added that in 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,” he said.
He said gender sensitivity had been incorporated into the service’s recruitment process, and 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 hold their families together while protecting nature to ensure future generations enjoy 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.
