Stakeholders in the environmental sector have called on the Federal Government to designate Katampe Hill and Waterfalls in Abuja as a National Park.
The appeal was made during the official unveiling of the “Where Rivers Are Born — Save Katampe Hill and Waterfalls, Restoration and Legal Personhood Campaign” held in Abuja.
The event was organised by the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers (FCNR) in partnership with the Earth Law Centre, USA–Africa Programme, and other environmental organisations.
The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Prof. Oladapo Abiodun Afolabi, represented by Mr. Bayero Kasim, a former Director in the Federal Ministry of Environment, described the campaign as vital to preserving Nigeria’s environmental heritage, promoting sustainable tourism, and ensuring long-term water security for surrounding communities.
“Katampe Hill and its waterfalls are more than topographical features; they are sacred birthplaces of rivers that sustain ecosystems, communities, and cultures.
We are not just unveiling a campaign; we are unveiling a new way of thinking — one that recognises that environmental protection is no longer optional but existential,” Afolabi said.
He explained that designating Katampe as a National Park would protect its fragile ecosystem from encroachment and degradation, while also creating new opportunities for environmental education, scientific research, and sustainable economic development.
“National Park status will guarantee long-term protection of Katampe’s unique landscape, prevent unregulated urban expansion, and transform the site into a national symbol of ecological restoration,” he added.
“It will serve as a living laboratory for environmental learning and a sanctuary for biodiversity — where nature, culture, and science meet in harmony.”
Afolabi further noted that the campaign combines ecological restoration with legal advocacy, including the push for legal personhood for Katampe Mountain and its surrounding ecosystems — a concept increasingly recognised globally.
He explained that legal personhood grants rivers, forests, and mountains the right to exist, flourish, and be protected under the law.
The Executive Director of the Foundation for the Conservation of Nigerian Rivers and Africa Lead, Earth Law Centre, Mr. Irikefe Dafe, described the initiative as a new chapter in Nigeria’s environmental movement.
“Today is not just another environmental event; it is a defining moment in our nation’s journey toward ecological restoration and the recognition of nature’s inherent rights,” Dafe said.
He stated that the initiative seeks to restore sacred headwaters and ecosystems, beginning with Katampe Hill and Waterfalls. It also advocates for the legal recognition of rivers and freshwater ecosystems as living entities, while reconnecting people—especially the youth—with rivers as sources of life and spirituality.
Dafe noted that the Legal Personhood Campaign, supported by environmental lawyers, civil society organisations, and traditional custodians, aligns Nigeria with a growing international movement seen in Ecuador, New Zealand, India, and Uganda, where ecosystems have been granted legal rights.
“Katampe Mountain is not only the geographical centre of Nigeria; it is the heart of a rising environmental awakening,” Dafe said.
“This is where a new paradigm can begin — one that challenges us to see rivers not as property, but as living entities deserving of dignity, voice, and guardianship.”
He outlined the foundation’s commitment to landscape restoration, community education, legislative advocacy, and partnerships with government institutions, civil society, academia, and traditional leaders.
Dafe also called for immediate action to prevent further degradation of the mountain, warning that neglecting nature today would have dire consequences for future generations.
“The rivers and mountains we fail to protect today will become the tragedies we struggle to explain to our children tomorrow,” he cautioned.
In his remarks, the Vice Chairman of the Katampe Residents Association, Dr. Austin Maho, pledged the full support of residents for the campaign.
Maho described the initiative as a timely intervention to halt years of encroachment and environmental degradation around the mountain.
“Over time, we have witnessed serious encroachment on this hill, destroying its natural environment. We must come together to preserve this natural beauty in harmony, without rancour or bitterness,” he said.
Maho reaffirmed the Katampe Residents Association’s commitment to work closely with the organisers and ensure sustained community support for the movement.
