Strengthening Conservation Through Collaboration: Advancing the SSC Center for Species Survival Network in Nigeria
The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Centers for Species Survival (CSS) network is built on a foundation of collaboration, knowledge exchange and collective action to drive species recovery worldwide.These CSS partnerships are established between leading conservation organizations and the SSC Network to unify efforts and amplify our collective ability to assess, plan and act for species recovery.
As the network of CSS partnerships grows, the opportunity for collaboration and capacity building between Centers also offers unique opportunities. In January, Dr. Samuel Ivande, Conservation Coordinator at the SSC Global Center for Species Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo visited CSS Nigeria and highlighted the importance of fostering synergies between the centers and Specialist Groups in Nigeria and Africa.
An exceptional opportunity to leverage global conservation
Nigeria holds a unique position within the SSC Network. It is among the few countries with both a national SSC-affiliated Center for Species Survival and a National Species Specialist Group. This dual presence presents an exceptional opportunity for Nigeria to leverage global conservation expertise and processes to enhance national biodiversity conservation efforts. The SSC’s Assess-Plan-Act framework provides a structured approach to species conservation, and CSS Nigeria, in partnership with the SSC Nigeria Species Specialist Group (NgSSG), is well positioned to implement this model at a national scale.
During his visit, Dr. Ivande engaged with CSS Nigeria at the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) and met with key partners, including the leadership of Benue State University, which currently hosts the Chair of the NgSSG. Discussions focused on how Nigeria can further integrate SSC methodologies into national conservation strategies. One of the key outcomes of these discussions was the vision to develop local partnerships in Nigeria to train specialized partner staff who will work closely with NgSSG to catalyze and implement priority Assess-Plan-Act conservation efforts.
In addition to these high-level discussions, Dr. Ivande delivered presentations to staff and students at both APLORI and Benue State University. His talks emphasized the crucial role of modern zoos as conservation institutions and highlighted the career opportunities available to students who may be pursuing degrees in zoology. Given that zoology and animal science courses are not currently prioritized in this part of the world, these discussions aimed to inspire and guide young conservationists toward meaningful careers in biodiversity conservation.
These efforts align with the broader vision of the CSS, reinforcing the network’s commitment to developing regionally anchored conservation leadership. By fostering stronger partnerships and building local conservation capacity, CSS Nigeria is poised to be a model for other countries looking to integrate global conservation frameworks into national strategies.
As the CSS network continues to grow, partnerships like these exemplify the power of collaboration in driving conservation impact. Strengthening connections between CSS Nigeria, the Global Center for Species Survival and other SSC entities will enhance conservation effectiveness, ensuring that global expertise translates into meaningful local action for species survival in Nigeria and beyond.
Acknowledgements
The Indianapolis Zoo, which partnered with SSC to create the Global Center in advancement of its mission to "protect nature and inspire people to care for our world," supports field conservation efforts globally, including in Nigeria, and continues to work to support and strengthen capacity for conservation worldwide.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
About the CCS Nigeria
The Center for Species Survival (CSS) Nigeria, established in 2023, is a collaborative initiative between the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), University of Jos, Nigeria. The CSS Nigeria mission is to address the urgent need for regional-level understanding of birds and biodiversity status and to lead concerted efforts for their conservation. The Center is committed to enhancing capacity building in West Africa and supporting the species conservation cycle through research, training, rigorous Red List assessments, and strategic conservation planning and action.
About the Nigeria Species Specialist Group
The mission of the Nigeria Species Specialist Group (NgSSG) is to provide a national platform to convene and mobilize species experts in Nigeria and to introduce, mainstream, and increase local capacity for the application of IUCN knowledge products and processes to assess the conservation status of species, support conservation planning efforts and strategies that inform appropriate actions and advance species conservation in Nigeria.
About the Global Center for Species Survival
Established in 2019, the Global Center for Species Survival goal is to provide effective support to the SSC Network to accelerate the progress from conservation risk assessment and action planning to concrete interventions that will save species. The Global Center also dramatically expanded the capacity to establish and foster partnerships, in particular between SSC Specialist Groups, taxon advisory groups, individual zoos and aquariums and with Association level programs such as AZA’s SAFE.