Key People
Patrick Ogbonnia Egwu
Patrick Ogbonnia Egwu is the Founder of West African Conservation Network (WACN) and the originator of its long-term vision to restore, secure, and sustainably manage priority conservation landscapes in Nigeria and across West Africa.
With a background in tourism management and entrepreneurship, Patrick brings a practical, governance-focused approach to conservation, emphasising institutional partnerships, operational discipline, and long-term financial sustainability. He founded WACN to address a recurring challenge across the region: significant protected areas existing with limited capacity, weak infrastructure, and insufficient long-term investment.
Patrick holds an honours degree in Tourism Management from the University of West London. Under his leadership, WACN works in formal collaboration with government institutions, local communities, and strategic partners to support ranger professionalism, ecological restoration, and the development of resilient conservation systems.
Patience Ashiba
WACN Kainji Lake National Park Project
Patience Ashiba is the Project Manager for the West African Conservation Network (WACN) Kainji Lake National Park Project, where she supports on-the-ground coordination of conservation activities, stakeholder engagement, and project implementation across the Borgu and Zugurma sectors of the park.
She is a trained Veterinary Technician with an HND in Veterinary Technology from the Federal College of Animal Health and Production Technology, Vom, Plateau State, where she graduated as the Most Outstanding Student. Her technical background provides a strong foundation in animal health, field operations, and ecological monitoring within protected area contexts.
Patience has hands-on experience working in some of Nigeria’s most important protected areas, including prior service as a Research Assistant at Gashaka Gumti National Park, where she contributed to conservation education, park protection activities, and community engagement during her national service year. She has also worked in veterinary clinical settings, supporting animal health management and disease surveillance.
In addition to her project management role, Patience contributes to fundraising and partnership development for the Kainji Lake National Park project, helping to mobilise support for protected area recovery, ranger operations, and long-term conservation investment.
Her professional interests include wildlife conservation (with a particular interest in wild cats), biodiversity protection, and climate change. She combines technical competence with strong communication and organisational skills, and is committed to strengthening conservation capacity and institutional effectiveness within Nigeria’s protected area system.
Stella Udeh
WACN Sumu Wildlife Park Project
Stella Udeh is the Project Manager for the West African Conservation Network (WACN) Sumu Wildlife Park Project, where she supports project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and the implementation of conservation and park management activities.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Forestry and Wildlife Management from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, with academic training in wildlife conservation, ecosystem management, and sustainable natural resource use. Her professional development includes practical field exposure through internships and placements within Nigeria’s protected area landscape, including experience at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden and within the Okomu protected area landscape in Edo State.
Stella brings a multidisciplinary skill set to her role, combining conservation training with experience in project coordination, communications, and organisational management. She has held several leadership and elected positions within forestry and agricultural student associations, reflecting early responsibility in coordination, accountability, and team leadership.
In addition to her conservation background, she has professional experience in digital media, content development, and stakeholder outreach, supporting WACN’s public engagement, institutional visibility, and communication objectives for Sumu Wildlife Park. Her work contributes to strengthening project delivery, improving coordination with partners and local stakeholders, and supporting the long-term development of Sumu Wildlife Park as a well-managed conservation landscape.
Stella is committed to community-inclusive conservation, capacity building, and the responsible stewardship of Nigeria’s wildlife and natural ecosystems.