Desmond Majekodunmi
LUFASI Nature Park
The Lekki Urban Forestry and Animal Shelter Initiative (LUFASI) is a non-governmental organisation that serves as an urban hub for learning, recreation and awareness on climate change and the natural environment. LUFASI was established in 2013 to protect biodiversity, fight against climate change impacts and provide urban green spaces and an eco-laboratory. For the preceding two decades, the site was used for an agro-forestry oil-palm and plantain production facility, owned by Mr. Desmond Majekodunmi. As the nearby urban area was expanding toward the farm, Mr. Majekodunmi recognised the popularity of the farm amongst bird-watchers and other nature enthusiasts, and saw an opportunity to use it to promote sustainable ecosystem management. LUFASI collaborates with communities and stakeholders to enhance the implementation of activities and drive sustainability.
The conversion of the oil-palm and plantain production facility into a biodiversity sanctuary began with the protection of 20 hectares of forest within the park. This now serves as a habitat for vulnerable tree species like Ekki “iron wood” and the critically endangered Hooded Vulture. LUFASI established a tree nursery containing 20 different local plant species to help support reforestation. In addition, children’s play areas, picnic areas, football, basketball and volleyball pitches, a fern garden and hiking routes were added to provide recreation and wellbeing opportunities. An eco-hall was constructed for environmental education classes. To protect vulnerable species, a shelter was created for persecuted and rescued animals such as African Wild Donkeys, West African Barb Horses, Mona Monkeys and Helmeted Guinea Fowl. LUFASI enhanced two lakes within the park to improve the management of storm water. Mr. Majekodunmi funded these upgrades, and additional GEF funding allowed for the introduction of urban aqua- and agri-culture training programs to build the capacity of local communities. LUFASI works with media, influencers, diplomatic core leaders and high profile corporate and government leaders to raise the profile of the reserve. The costs of the park’s operations and maintenance are covered by visitor fees, guided tours and the sale of vegetables and seedlings from its organic farm.
LUFASI offers a recreational centre and an outdoor eco-laboratory for local communities, schools and researchers. LUFASI also provides employment for local people who work as tour guides, dedicated animal groomers and veterinarians who monitor the well-being of rescued animals. By 2017, LUFASI had taught environment and climate change awareness to 6,800 local students and 49 teachers/adults via the LUFASI climate change workshops. LUFASI also provides green recreational spaces, and the grounds are often used for events like weddings and the filming of movies and music videos. It regularly showcases local community activities such as parades, cultural dances and poetry recitals, and its sports facilities bring people from different backgrounds close to nature. The successful establishment of LUFASI’s organic compost crop production farm positively impacts the nearby community members and school children who buy the produce for a subsidised price. The organic farm also facilitates knowledge transfer on sustainable crop production and agro-forestry techniques to students and communities around the park, which contributes to capacity building for climate change adaptation and food security. Local community members who participated in LUFASI’s GEF-funded urban aqua- and agriculture training programs have now started their own enterprises.
LUFASI conserves and sustainably manages a 20-hectare pristine Farm-Forest in the heart of the highly urbanised Lekki Island. This contributes to carbon sequestration, reduces flood risk for local communities and serves as a habitat for vulnerable and critically endangered species like the Ekki “Iron Wood” tree and Hooded Vulture. The tree nursery has produced over 1,200 saplings, which has helped urban afforestation and the conservation of the Ekki tree. LUFASI currently provides shelters for persecuted ungulates, avifauna, primates and small mammals. It has also launched the “Save the Lekki Coastline” campaign, an advocacy program raising awareness about the protection of the Lekki coastline to build resilience against the effects of ocean surge in Lekki communities.
LUFASI’s "loving nature" motto, intensive advocacy and eco-creativity competitions helped galvanise actions from the state government, children and youths for ecosystems and biodiversity conservation.
The critically endangered Hooded Vulture population has grown from 32 to 38, and juvenile vultures are seen more frequently in the vicinity. LUFASI has observed a large number of its visitors returning on a regular basis.
The biggest challenge of LUFASI is ensuring that incoming administrations do not invoke land expropriation laws to acquire and utilize the park for alternative urban development.
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