Empirical Analysis of Ecotourism’s Contribution to Wildlife Habitat Conservation in South West Nigeria

The causal relationship between ecotourism development and wildlife habitat conservation outcomes in sub-Saharan Africa has been debated in recent literature, with mixed empirical evidence regarding the directionality and strength of this relationship. In South West Nigeria's forest zones, ecotourism is increasingly promoted as a conservation finance mechanism, yet rigorous empirical assessments of its habitat conservation impact are absent. This study employs a quasi-experimental research design to assess the effect of ecotourism on wildlife habitat condition at six nature-based tourism sites in Ondo, Ogun, and Osun States, compared with six matched control sites without ecotourism activity. Vegetation structure, wildlife sign density, and habitat integrity scores were measured at all sites during a two-season field campaign. Results from difference-in-difference analysis indicate that ecotourism presence is positively associated with habitat integrity and wildlife sign density, though the relationship is moderated by revenue reinvestment levels and community engagement quality. Sites where ecotourism revenues are reinvested in park management show the strongest conservation outcomes. The study fills a critical empirical gap in the Nigerian ecotourism literature and provides quantified effect sizes that can inform conservation investment decisions. Policy recommendations include performance-based revenue reinvestment standards for ecotourism operators and mandatory community engagement protocols for new ecotourism license applications. Keywords: ecotourism, habitat conservation, quasi-experimental, South West Nigeria, conservation outcomes