Nigeria Launches Greater Zuma Geopark Initiative

Nigeria has initiated a national geopark movement with the launch of the Greater Zuma Geopark Initiative, concluded during the First Nigeria Workshop on Geoparks held on August 17-18, 2026, at the Zuma Rock Geopark and Resort in Niger State. The event was sponsored by the Zuma Rock Geopark and Resort in collaboration with the Niger State Government and attended by stakeholders from various sectors, including government, academia, geoscience, tourism, and civil society.

Governor Dr. Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, represented by the commissioner for tourism, opened the workshop. The Nigeria Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) provided insights on geoheritage potentials, while the National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) guided administrative procedures for future UNESCO engagement.

The workshop emphasized that the Greater Zuma Geopark proposal encompasses a broader geological landscape rather than focusing solely on Zuma Rock, highlighting the area's significance in the West African continental crust's geological history.