By Abbas Nazil
The Nigerian Senate has passed the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, paving the way for stronger laws to curb wildlife trafficking and safeguard endangered species across the country.
The bill, which had earlier been approved by the House of Representatives in May, will now be sent to the President for assent.
It introduces tougher penalties for wildlife crimes, enhances investigative powers, and aligns Nigeria’s legal framework with international conservation treaties.
Festus Iyorah, Nigeria Representative at Wild Africa, said in a statement that the new law empowers investigators to trace financial transactions linked to wildlife trafficking, conduct intelligence-led operations, and enables judges to fast-track cases and confiscate assets from offenders.
He explained that Nigeria has emerged as a major hub for the illegal trade in ivory and pangolin scales, with more than 30 tonnes of ivory and over half of the world’s trafficked pangolin scales traced to the country between 2015 and 2019.
Environmental groups have hailed the development as a major breakthrough in combating wildlife crimes.
Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment and sponsor of the bill, described its passage as “a huge win for Nigeria,” noting that stronger laws would protect forests and wildlife from exploitation while promoting environmental sustainability.
Tunde Morakinyo, Executive Director of Africa Nature Investors Foundation, said the law would help dismantle trafficking networks that have used Nigeria as a transit route for smuggling endangered species to Asia and Europe.
He applauded the Senate for enacting what he called one of Africa’s most progressive wildlife protection laws.
Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa, urged the President to grant speedy assent to the bill ahead of the upcoming UN CITES meeting in Uzbekistan.
He said such action would showcase Nigeria’s leadership in global wildlife conservation and strengthen its international credibility.
