Assessment of Ecotourism Management of Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos State Nigeria

Abstract

The study assessed ecotourism management of Lekki Conservation Centre, Lagos state. Data was collected through questionnaire, interview and personal field observation. Data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The demographic characteristics of the respondents revealed that females recorded the highest (66.0%) with 25-34 years (38.0%). The result also revealed that most of the respondents (74.0%) are single. It was also noted that 46.0% of the respondents had attained tertiary level of education. Also majority of the respondents (58.0%) are Muslims while 42.0% are Christians. The finding further revealed that 44.0% of the respondents are civil servant. The travel characteristics of the respondents showed that majority were first time visitors (68.0%) and that majority of the visitors travelled with their family and friends (54.0%) While most of the visitors got to know about the centre through their friends and family (68.0%). Eight (8) ecotourism attractions are observed in Lekki conservation centre. The total revenue generated in the study area from 2010 to 2019 was ₦ 130,075,465. Year 2019 recorded the highest number of tourist with 9412 tourists, followed by 2017 with 6,530 tourists while year 2010 recorded the least number of tourist influx with 1,661 tourists. The management practices of Lekki Conservation Centre are availability of tour guide, adequate parking space, adequate security and ease of entrance etc. The study concludes that the site has enough attractions to motivate visitors to visit especially the Canopy walkway which is the longest canopy walkway in Africa.