Freedom Radio 99.5 FM, a prominent broadcaster in northern Nigeria, has partnered with Wild Africa to launch a new radio program focusing on wildlife conservation and broader environmental issues, such as climate change. The show, Arewa Wildlife Half Hour, highlights the urgent challenges facing Nigeria’s wildlife and forests while encouraging the public to support local conservation efforts.
The 30-minute program will air on Freedom Radio 99.5 FM and feature discussions about Nigeria’s iconic species, the illegal wildlife trade, and the amazing wildlife and wild spaces in northern Nigeria.
Northern Nigeria has several national parks and reserves, including Yankari Game Reserve, Kainji Lake National Park, and Kamuku National Park. Buffaloes, roan antelopes, hippos, and hartebeests are among the wildlife species found there, with lions and elephants being key species. Wild spaces like Yankari host Nigeria’s largest surviving elephant population, one of the largest remaining in West Africa. Estimated at 100 to 150 individuals, this population of elephants is perhaps the only viable population left in Nigeria.
Northern Nigeria has significantly declined its wildlife population over the past three decades. Once-thriving species such as lions and vultures are now on the brink of extinction due to poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal trade. Some species, like rhinos and giraffes, have already become locally extinct. Conservationists estimate that fewer than 50 lions remain in Nigeria, while the elephant population has dwindled to fewer than 400.
Furthermore, Nigeria has emerged as a significant transit hub for illegal wildlife products, including elephant ivory and pangolin scales, which are processed in the country and smuggled through the region to international markets. The growing demand for bushmeat, especially from endangered species like pangolins, has exacerbated the crisis, raising concerns about the spread of zoonotic diseases such as Ebola and Mpox.
The northern region is home to over 40 million people who speak Hausa, the most widely spoken language in West Africa. As a result, radio remains one of the most powerful media for engaging this population. This is evident in the presence of global broadcasting powerhouses such as the BBC, Voice of America (VOA), and Radio France Internationale (RFI), all broadcasting in Hausa. Many people rely on it for information while farming, trading, and traveling around the region. Despite its popularity, environmental issues receive less attention than sports, politics, and entertainment.
The launch of Arewa Wildlife Half Hour on Freedom Radio seeks to bridge this gap by offering relevant and engaging discussions on how local communities, policymakers, and conservationists can collaborate to protect Nigeria’s rich biodiversity.
The program’s first season will focus on topics such as the significance of wildlife conservation, the national parks and wildlife of northern Nigeria, the threats posed by poaching, and its impact on Nigeria’s ecosystems.
Arewa Wildlife Hour will be hosted and produced by Kamilu Saminu. It will feature engaging conversations with conservationists, rangers, government officials, and community leaders for listeners.
“Freedom Radio Kano is proud to partner with Wild Africa to promote wildlife conservation and educate the public in fostering behavioral changes towards environmental ecosystems in Nigeria,” said Ado Saidu Warawa, the station manager at Freedom Radio.
Wild Africa Nigeria Representative Festus Iyorah emphasized the importance of broadening conservation awareness beyond major southern cities, such as Lagos, to include a key city in the northern region.
“Radio is one of the quickest ways to reach a wider audience, especially in northern Nigeria. With Freedom Radio, this campaign will engage northerners on the importance of protecting our wildlife for future generations,” Iyorah said.
Listeners can tune in every Sunday from 7:30 PM to 8:00 PM (WAT) on Freedom Radio 99.5 FM Kano to join the discussion and learn how they can support wildlife conservation in the region.
