Reps pass bill to combat wildlife trafficking in Nigeria

The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill 2024 has passed its final and third reading in the house of representatives and is now set to be sent to the senate for concurrence.

The bill enhances Nigeria’s response to serious and organised wildlife trafficking, and introduces stricter penalties for wildlife crime. It provides investigators with greater authority to probe financial transactions and conduct intelligence-led operations.

It also seeks to empower judges to expedite wildlife cases and recover assets while also promoting international collaboration by aligning with global treaties.

Terseer Ugbor, deputy chairman of the house committee on environment and sponsor of the bill, said by modernising Nigerian laws, the national assembly want to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the ecological and economic value of the country’s biodiversity.

“This bill sends an unambiguously clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the use of its borders for trafficking of illegal wildlife products, such as pangolin scales and ivory, to foreign markets,” Ugbor said.

Nigeria has emerged as a major hub for the trafficking of ivory and pangolin sales to Asian markets. The West African country has been linked to the smuggling of more than 30 tonnes of ivory since 2015 and over half of the pangolin scales seized globally between 2016 and 2019.

Environmental organisations have lauded the bill’s progression, highlighting its potential to help tackle illegal wildlife trade.

Tunde Morakinyo, Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI) executive director, said the steady progress of the bill is a testament to Nigeria’s firm commitment to strengthening wildlife governance, combating wildlife trafficking, and positioning itself as a leader in conservation.

Morakinyo said the lawmakers and leadership of the house of representatives deserve commendation for their vision, dedication, and commitment to the crucial step towards protecting Nigeria’s environment and its wildlife.

Mary Rice, executive director of London-based Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA UK), welcomed the progress made through this third reading.

“EIA commends the work of Nigeria’s lawmakers in continuing to support this important legislation, which demonstrates the country’s commitment to ensuring regional security and tackling the scourge of international trafficking networks,” Rice said.

Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa, added: “This is a great step forward for Nigeria to lead the region in combatting wildlife crime.”

ANI, EIA UK and Wild Africa have been actively supporting the Nigerian government’s efforts to fight illegal wildlife trafficking. Support for these activities in the region have been generously supported by the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the Pangolin Conservation Fund.

The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, will now move to the senate for further consideration after which, if supported, it will be referred to the president for approval.