Research Article
Awareness of Wildlife Conservation Practices in Host Communities of Old Oyo National Park, Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
148-157
Received:
19 October 2025
Accepted:
9 March 2026
Published:
15 September 2026
Abstract: Nigeria is endowed with diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of flora and fauna, making biodiversity a vital component of the nation’s natural heritage and environmental resources. However, the conservation of wildlife in protected areas remains a major challenge due to limited awareness and understanding of conservation practices among host communities. This study examines the level of awareness of wildlife conservation practices among host communities surrounding Old Oyo National Park and investigates the challenges affecting the implementation of support zone programmes designed to promote wildlife conservation and sustainable resource management. The study adopts a descriptive research design and utilizes quantitative methods for data collection and analysis. Primary data were obtained through 398 structured questionnaires administered to residents of selected host communities located within the park’s support zones. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques to determine the level of awareness, community perceptions, and the factors influencing participation in conservation initiatives. The findings reveal that awareness of wildlife conservation practices among many community members remains relatively low, which contributes to activities that threaten biodiversity, including illegal resource exploitation. The study also identifies several challenges affecting the effectiveness of support zone programmes, such as inadequate environmental education, weak community participation, insufficient funding, and limited collaboration between park authorities and local communities. The study concludes that strengthening community awareness and participation is essential for effective biodiversity conservation. It recommends inclusive conservation strategies, improved environmental education, and stronger collaboration between policymakers, conservation agencies, and community leaders to ensure sustainable wildlife management and improved environmental quality.
Abstract: Nigeria is endowed with diverse ecosystems that support a wide range of flora and fauna, making biodiversity a vital component of the nation’s natural heritage and environmental resources. However, the conservation of wildlife in protected areas remains a major challenge due to limited awareness and understanding of conservation practices among hos...
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Research Article
Cartographic Analysis of the Spatial Changes in the Tourist Resort of Saly (Senegal) Between 1988 and 2024
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
158-168
Received:
26 August 2026
Accepted:
8 September 2026
Published:
24 September 2026
Abstract: The creation of the seaside resort of Saly in Senegal in 1984 marked the beginning of a transition from a village to an urban center. However, the development of a designated area is often marked by a context of urban transformation and expansion, giving rise to various territorial and societal challenges. Hence, the objective of this study is to assess the spatial dynamics of the Saly tourist resort between 1988 and 2024. The methodological approach was based on the analysis of satellite imagery and the application of remote sensing techniques, notably the NDBI index and the calculation of the average annual growth rate of spatial units. The results revealed that from 1988 to 2002), the built-up area increased significantly (from 38 to 534 ha), while agricultural land (from 963 to 613 ha), bare land (from 315 to 78 ha), and beaches (from 67 to 52 ha) declined. Between 2002 and 2014, built-up areas increased (from 534 to 903 ha), followed by a decrease in vegetation (from 421 to 349 ha) and agricultural land (from 613 to 345 ha). During the period from 2014 to 2024, built-up areas saw a slight increase (from 903 to 950 ha) and a shift in trends regarding vegetation (from 349 to 460 ha) and open land (from 64 to 235 ha), while agricultural land (from 345 to 13 ha) and beaches (from 47 to 44 ha) decreased further. These trends show that 86.29% of the territory underwent land-use conversion, compared with 13.71% that remained stable over these 36 years. The built-up area shows an estimated average annual growth rate of 9.4%, while vegetation increased slightly by 0.99%. In contrast, agricultural land declined by 11.20%, as did beaches and bare ground, which decreased by 1.31% and 0.82%, respectively. These trends reflect three phases of spatial dynamics: rapid expansion (1988-2002), consolidation (2002-2014), and spatial restructuring (2014-2024). Analysis of the NDBI index from 1988 shows values ranging from generally low to slightly negative (-0.42 and 0.02) to a higher value (0.21) in 2024. Spatial dynamics reveal rapid urbanization in Saly, requiring sustainable land-use policies that take natural areas into account and continuous monitoring of land use to better manage urban growth.
Abstract: The creation of the seaside resort of Saly in Senegal in 1984 marked the beginning of a transition from a village to an urban center. However, the development of a designated area is often marked by a context of urban transformation and expansion, giving rise to various territorial and societal challenges. Hence, the objective of this study is to a...
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Review Article
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining, Child Protection and Environmental Education: From Enforcement to Legislative Reform in Niger State, Nigeria.
Johnson Kayode Ayeni*
,
Jacob Titilope Adeyemo
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 5, October 2026
Pages:
169-175
Received:
10 October 2026
Accepted:
20 October 2026
Published:
31 October 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajep.20261505.13
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Abstract: Many mineral-bearing communities in Nigeria depend on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) for their livelihoods, but it is still linked to environmental degradation, informal labour, inadequate occupational safeguards, and children’s involvement in hazardous mining activities. The paper examines legislative and educational responses to the problem of child involvement and environmental damage in ASM, with special reference to the September 2026 deaths of 37 suspected illegal miners in the custody of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State as a critical case. According to the reports available, many of those killed were minors or adolescents who had been arrested in operations against alleged illegal gold mining in the Wushishi-Lukoto axis. The official investigation into the proximate medical and custodial causes of death has received some explanation, including a suspected disease outbreak, and other accounts raising concerns about crowding and lack of ventilation. The case thus highlights the dangers of illegal mining and the limits of enforcement-led responses that inadequately integrate child protection, due process, health safeguards, family welfare and access to education. The study adopts a qualitative case-study design. The design entails document analysis of Nigerian mining and child-rights legislation, reports from international labour institutions and credible contemporary media accounts. The findings reveal that Nigeria has a strong legal framework that outlaws illegal mining, environmental pollution, exploitative child labour, and hazardous work by children. But enforcement gaps, poverty, school exclusion, insecure livelihoods, limited ASM formalisation and weak interagency coordination undermine implementation. The paper proposes a child-centred responsible-mining framework comprising formalisation of ASM, mandatory school-retention support, community mining education, environmental rehabilitation, child-sensitive law enforcement, and transparent custodial accountability. It finds that durable solutions will require government to go beyond arrests alone and to combine lawful regulation with education, livelihoods, social protection and rights-based environmental governance.
Abstract: Many mineral-bearing communities in Nigeria depend on artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) for their livelihoods, but it is still linked to environmental degradation, informal labour, inadequate occupational safeguards, and children’s involvement in hazardous mining activities. The paper examines legislative and educational responses to the probl...
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