Conservationists have raised the alarm about the rapid decline in Nigeria’s lion population, which now stands at fewer than 50 wild lions; a stark contrast to the thousands that roamed the country decades ago. They urged Nigerians to protect lions by reducing illegal bushmeat consumption, supporting better protection of their shrinking habitat, and championing anti-poaching measures. The experts also cautioned that losing these apex predators would have devastating consequences for Nigeria’s ecosystems and cultural heritage, as well as its tourism potential. Habitat destruction, poaching, and escalating human-wildlife conflicts have severely depleted their natural prey and pushed lions to the brink of extinction. Also, due to human-lion conflict, loss of habitat, poaching, and the illegal bushmeat trade, lions are disappearing in Nigeria. As the country’s population is growing, more lands are established for agriculture, which encroach on the lion’s natural habitat. Countries such as South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania are making millions of dollars through wildlife tourism. These countries have strict laws that protect their wildlife, and any offender caught in illegal wildlife trade or poaching is seriously punished. Tanzania is said to have the largest population of lions in Africa with about 8,000. Lions are an important component of its tourism, which generates 17 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The IUCN Red List designates lions as vulnerable globally, but West African lion numbers are limited and dispersed, and they have recently been listed as critically endangered. According to a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) report, lions, which were once common throughout northern Nigeria, now only exist in two locations: Kainji Lake National Park and Yankari Game Reserve.