Environmental experts and advocates have appealed to the Federal Government to grant Katampe Hill and its waterfalls National Park status to preserve the area’s ecological and cultural significance.
The former Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Abiodun Afolabi, alongside other stakeholders, made the appeal during the official unveiling of the “Where Rivers Are Born” — Save Katampe Hill and Waterfalls, Restoration and Legal Personhood Campaign in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers (FCNR) in collaboration with the Earth Law Centre, USA–Africa Programme, and other environmental groups.
Afolabi, represented by Bayero Kasim, a former Director in the Federal Ministry of Environment, described the campaign as an important step toward safeguarding Nigeria’s natural heritage, encouraging sustainable tourism, and protecting water sources that serve nearby communities.
“Katampe Hill and its waterfalls represent more than just geological features; they are the cradles of rivers that sustain both ecosystems and people,” he said.
He added that the initiative marked a shift in environmental thinking — one that recognises protection of nature as a matter of survival, not choice.
He noted that giving Katampe National Park recognition would preserve its delicate ecosystem, curb unchecked urbanisation, and create opportunities for education, research, and eco-tourism.
According to him, the proposed status would ensure the site’s long-term protection, making it a symbol of national pride and a centre for biodiversity conservation.
Afolabi further highlighted the campaign’s inclusion of “legal personhood” advocacy for Katampe Hill and its surrounding ecosystems — a concept increasingly adopted globally to grant natural entities legal rights to exist and be protected.
Mr. Irikefe Dafe, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers and Africa Lead at the Earth Law Centre, said the movement signalled a turning point in Nigeria’s environmental consciousness.
He explained that the initiative seeks to restore sacred water sources, revive degraded ecosystems, and reconnect communities — especially the youth — with the spiritual and ecological value of rivers.
Dafe added that Nigeria’s effort aligns with international examples such as Ecuador, New Zealand, India, and Uganda, where rivers and forests have gained legal recognition.
“Katampe Mountain is not only Nigeria’s geographical centre but also a symbolic heart of a new environmental awakening,” he said.
Dr. Austin Maho, Vice Chairman of the Katampe Residents Association, expressed the community’s full support, describing the movement as a crucial step to reverse the growing degradation of the mountain’s natural landscape.
He urged all stakeholders to work together in unity, stressing that protecting Katampe Hill is both an environmental and generational responsibility.