The wildlife conservation NGO, Wild Africa, alongside its radio partner, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) FM, has launched the second season of Wildlife Matters, a bi-monthly radio show about Nigeria’s rich biodiversity and the challenges it faces.
Season two shines a spotlight on unsung heroes in Nigeria and across Africa, working in the field to protect Africa’s wildlife and wildlife spaces through various initiatives, campaigns, or projects.
The new episodes will feature short audio documentaries about these local conservation heroes, compelling interviews about their work, fun wildlife facts, quizzes, and on-the-ground reports from Nigeria’s wild spaces.
The Unsung Heroes documentary follows the story of local conservation heroes across Africa, such as Ndelende Ncube in Zimbabwe, who launched the Tikobane Trust, a local organisation committed to seeing animals and humans coexist peacefully. One of the interventions includes an ingenious chili elephant repellent to prevent human-elephant conflict.
In Nigeria, Jonah and Yusef, two remarkable rangers stationed at Yankari Game Reserve, are dedicated to protecting the wildlife and their community. Before the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) intervention, the team was divided, and morale was low. After rigorous training and new ranger uniforms, a transformation occurred. Both Jonah and Yusef are part of a united force, driven by newfound purpose and unwavering confidence in their mission.
“Wildlife Matters Season one was a learning experience and confidence boost for me, which helped me to enlighten the listener continually,” said Azubuike Onicha, NOUN FM Station Manager and presenter of the show.
“In Season Two, we are introducing a magazine-style format that blends audio documentaries, interviews, wildlife facts, quizzes, and on-the-ground reports. Most importantly, this season will shine a spotlight on unsung conservation heroes; ordinary people doing extraordinary work to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and wild spaces. Their stories are inspiring, often untold, and they bring a human face to conservation. I believe listeners will not only learn about these heroes but also be motivated to reflect on their own role in preserving the environment,” he added.
Wildlife Matters Season two premieres on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. (West Africa Time). Subsequent shows will air every first and last Friday of the month on NOUN Radio 105.9 FM, with replays also available on demand on Spotify.
The show broadcasts to a youthful audience within the National Open University of Nigeria community—one of Africa’s largest open and distance learning institutions, with hundreds of thousands of students spread across over 100 study centers nationwide. With such a large and diverse student body, NOUN FM provides a unique platform to engage young Nigerians, who form the core listeners of Wildlife Matters.
Over the past 30 years, Nigeria has seen devastating declines in wildlife populations, with fewer than 400 elephants, 100 Cross River gorillas, and 50 lions surviving in the wild. Illegal wildlife trade, poaching, and rapid habitat loss continue to place extraordinary pressure on species and communities. Through accessible radio storytelling, Wildlife Matters aims to bridge the knowledge gap and build a culture of environmental stewardship.
“The first season of Wildlife Matters helped us reach a vast network of young people nationwide, educating them about Nigeria’s amazing biodiversity,” said Festus Iyorah, the Nigeria Representative at Wild Africa.
“Now we want to take it a step further by sharing the stories of local conservation heroes who are making a difference. We hope that these stories will not only inspire young listeners but also empower them to become lifelong ambassadors for Nigeria’s wildlife.
With Season two, NOUN FM reaffirms its role as one of Nigeria’s few broadcast platforms consistently championing wildlife and environmental issues, making conservation not just a cause but a conversation.
Join the Wildlife Matters Season Two premier show! Airing Friday, September 12, 2025, at 10 a.m. (West Africa Time) here. Listen live here: https://zeno.fm/radio/nounfm/
