The Plateau State Government has formally handed over the management and custody of Pandam National Park to the National Park Service, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen wildlife conservation, improve security and boost tourism development in the state.
The handover ceremony, held on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Plateau State Tourism Development Corporation (PSTDC) General Manager’s Office, Jos, formalised the transfer of the park from the state-owned corporation to the Federal Government agency.
Speaking at the event, the General Manager of the Plateau State Tourism Development Corporation, Hon. Chuwang Pwajok, described the development as a major milestone not only for the corporation and the Plateau State Government but also for state-federal collaboration in protecting the country’s natural resources.
Pwajok recalled that efforts to upgrade Pandam Wildlife Park to a national park began in the early 2000s, following the recognition of the benefits of federal government involvement in its management and conservation. The park was subsequently designated a national park under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, alongside nine other parks across the country.
He explained that although the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, had formally handed over the park to the National Park Service in September 2025, Friday’s ceremony marked the final stage of the transition and formalisation of the process by the Plateau State Tourism Corporation, which had managed the facility over the years.
The General Manager noted that the transition would help address longstanding challenges associated with inadequate funding, manpower and security, particularly as some previously inaccessible areas had become vulnerable to criminal activities, including kidnapping and banditry.
He added that the National Park Service’s involvement would strengthen conservation efforts, prevent activities harmful to the environment and create more employment opportunities for Plateau youths.
While expressing confidence in the benefits of the transition, Pwajok emphasised that Pandam National Park remains a valuable tourism asset of Plateau State, noting that only its management and custody had been transferred to the federal agency. He also called for sustained collaboration between the state government and the National Park Service to ensure that Plateau continues to benefit from the park’s economic and tourism potential.
In his remarks, the Acting Conservator of Pandam National Park, Jonah C. Moses, who represented the Conservator-General of the National Park Service, Dr. Ibrahim Musa Goni, expressed appreciation to the Plateau State Government for facilitating the transition.
Moses disclosed that Pandam was among six of the ten newly designated national parks that had so far been successfully handed over to the National Park Service. Others include Oba Hills National Park in Osun State, Kampe National Park in Kwara State, Ajiwa Wetland National Park in Jigawa State, Marhai National Park in Nasarawa State and Kogo National Park in Katsina State.
He assured residents that the park would receive renewed attention through improved protection, conservation, research, educational tours, community engagement and tourism development.
According to him, the National Park Service intends to deploy its operational structures and engage relevant stakeholders, including traditional institutions, security agencies, government institutions and host communities, to ensure effective and participatory management of the park.
Moses further stated that the intervention would help revive Pandam’s former status as a recreational and tourism destination, attracting visitors for sightseeing, picnics, educational activities and research.
However, he appealed to the Plateau State Government to provide office accommodation and other basic administrative facilities for the National Park Service to enable its personnel to discharge their responsibilities effectively. He explained that despite the handover, the service currently lacked a functional office in Jos or at the park.
He stressed that the successful management of Pandam National Park would require the continued support and cooperation of the Plateau State Government and its people, describing the state as the permanent host and landlord of the park, while the National Park Service serves as its custodian.
The ceremony underscored the importance of sustained cooperation between the state and federal governments in safeguarding Pandam National Park, strengthening environmental protection and unlocking its potential as a major tourism destination in Plateau State.
