The gate swung open to applause and the sharp, delighted shout — not for the ribbon-cutting itself but for the first glimpse of a young monkey trotting across fresh grass. For many visitors assembled at the Jos Wildlife Park , the moment felt less like a ceremony and more like the long-awaited return of a neighbourhood landmark.
“It’s like the park woke up,” said Mrs. Beatrice Tende, a retired teacher who lives on the opposite streets away and has watched the park’s fortunes for decades. “We used to take our schoolchildren here every term. The laughter, the learning — it’s all coming back.”
After months of repair and renovation, the Plateau State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project ACReSALand officially commissioned and handed over a cluster of refurbished facilities to the park authorities aimed at restoring the park’s role as a recreational and educational hub for Plateau State. Among the items unveiled were a modern cafe, workshop, upgraded with improved facilities and refurbished public restrooms.
For those who work at the park, the handiwork means better tools to care for the animals and the chance to rebuild livelihoods disrupted by years of underinvestment. “The new cafe will help visitors feel a sense of comfort ” said Musa, a senior park ranger who has been here 15 years . “In the rainy season, the old building used to flood. Now the damage structures are fixed, the animals are now smiling, and people can come without fear of muddy paths.”
The renovation was the visible result of pragmatic interventions by the World Bank through the ACReSAL project and Plateau State government with the World Bank providing the funding.
“If you build for the people, involve the people,” said a park official during a short handover address. “We wanted the community to be part of the recovery. It’s their park.”
That community angle was on full display at the commissioning. Sani Yakubu, who sells roasted corn opposite the park entrance, recalled how business dried up during the years of neglect “I spent savings to keep my family,” he said. “Now that the park is refurbished, I can work again.
For children, the park’s revival promises a new kind of classroom. At the opening, a group of children from a nearby village clustered around the new exhibition hall, craning to read a display about Plateau State’s native species. “We learn better when we see,” said 10-year-old Joshua, who said his class would come here monthly. “I want to become a veterinarian.”
Conservationists celebrate practical improvements that will benefit both animals and visitors. Park staff said they hope the upgrades will support the importance of conservation and biodiversity as well as small-scale breeding and rescue efforts — an increasingly important role as human-wildlife interactions change around Jos.
The park’s long-term challenges remain. Park staff acknowledged that maintenance will be the measure of success. “Renovation is only the first step,” the park manager said. “Sustained funding, disciplined upkeep, and community partnership will determine whether these facilities serve future generations.”
According to Mr Bulus the park manager of the Jos Wildlife Park, “from guided tours and educational programs to interactive exhibits and wildlife encounters,the Jos Wildlife offers a unique and memorable experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you are a seasoned nature enthusiast or just looking for a fun day out with the family, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this magical place”.
