NatureNews reported that on Tuesday (August 13, 2024), the Nigerian government, led by the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, unveiled an ambitious 10-year National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) to tackle the alarming decline in Nigeria’s elephant population and other wildlife crimes. The honourable minister said Nigeria’s elephant population has plummeted from 1,500 to an estimated 300-400 over the past 30 years, adding that Elephants play a critical role as ecosystem engineers, but are now facing severe threats from poaching, habitat loss, and human-wildlife conflict.
When I read NatureNews’ report, the first story that comes to mind was the ordeal faced by a journalist working with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) last year. In the November 2023 report, the journalist tracked a stray forest elephant from Nigeria to Benin Republic where he was almost jailed by the authorities. But that’s not the whole story. The journalist discovered that the stray elephant was eventually captured by the University of Ibadan, and it died barely 24 hours after largely due to long term stress and sedation overdose during capture.
The precious creature was worth $1.75 million, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and is the rarer of the two living species of indigenous African elephants. Also, the population of the rare animal has reduced from about 1.1 million to about a hundred thousand, and the number continues to drop. Why was there no significant federal govt-led process to deal with such situation? Why was no one queried about such horrendous act to an animal of value. That’s why I’m always sceptical with the setting up initiatives like NEAP only to never hear of it again.
There are more fundamental problems we must deal with if we want good plans like NEAP to materialise. Nigeria doesn’t have a problem with planning, bringing the plan to life has always been the bottleneck. Tackling wildlife challenges, especially crime, requires strategic planning. It’s more than an election-year style of plan, but one that must extend into many decades ahead.
The scope of wildlife crimes in Nigeria cannot be overemphasised – it is a major threat to our biodiversity. Our vast forests, savannas, and wetlands harbor numerous species, some of which are endemic and critically endangered. However, illegal activities such as poaching, bushmeat trade, and the illegal trafficking of wildlife products have pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Elephants, like the case of the forest Elephant I cited, including pangolins and primates are among the most targeted – all driven by high demand for ivory, scales, and exotic pets in both domestic and international markets.
One of the most concerning aspects of wildlife crime in Nigeria is its transnational nature. Nigeria has become a significant hub for the illegal wildlife trade, serving as a transit point for smuggling wildlife products to Asia, Europe, and the Americas. The involvement of organized criminal networks, corruption, and weak law enforcement further complicates efforts to combat these activities.
Tackling wildlife crimes in Nigeria is fraught with numerous challenges, many of which are systemic and deeply entrenched. And when problems are systemic, it takes a long time to deal with them.
Corruption and weak law enforcement is on top of the list of challenges facing wildlife crimes in Nigeria. Our law enforcement still faces significant challenges in combating wildlife crimes, including limited resources, inadequate training, and pervasive corruption. Although wildlife laws exist in Nigeria, enforcement is weak due to the lack of capacity and the influence of ‘powerful’ people involved in the illegal wildlife trade. The situation gets more complicated with corruption – wildlife traffickers have found a way to escape prosecution via bribing law enforcement officers. This corruption undermines the rule of law and emboldens criminals to continue their illegal activities with impunity.
Aside from corruption, Nigeria’s legal framework for wildlife protection is outdated and insufficient to address the complexities of modern wildlife crime. People treat animals and plants like we have no rule governing their existence. The penalties for wildlife crimes are often too lenient to serve as effective deterrents, and the absence of specialized courts and trained prosecutors means that wildlife crime cases are not given the necessary attention. The slow pace of legal reforms further hampers efforts to strengthen the country’s wildlife protection laws.
Poverty is another significant driver of wildlife crime in Nigeria. In many rural communities where livelihoods depend on subsistence farming and hunting, the economic benefits of participating in wildlife crime can be enticing. For example, poachers may earn substantial sums by selling bushmeat or ivory to middlemen, providing a financial lifeline in regions where other income opportunities are scarce. Without viable alternatives, many individuals continue to engage in wildlife crime out of necessity.
Additionally, wildlife crime in Nigeria is not confined within our borders. Nigeria’s role as a transit hub for international wildlife trafficking adds another layer of complexity to the issue. The involvement of organized criminal networks, which operate across multiple countries and continents, makes it difficult for Nigerian authorities to tackle the problem effectively. This transnational nature of wildlife crime necessitates international cooperation, often hampered by diplomatic challenges and differing legal frameworks between countries.
The last thing I’d like to mention regarding challenges is public awareness. Public awareness of wildlife conservation issues in Nigeria is generally low. Many people, particularly in rural areas, do not fully understand the long-term consequences of wildlife crime on biodiversity and the environment. Furthermore, there is often little public engagement in conservation efforts, with many viewing wildlife protection as the sole responsibility of the government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
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This lack of awareness and engagement hinders efforts to build a grassroots movement for wildlife conservation. People in rural areas have discovered rare or even endangered animals, but proceed to sell or make a meal out of them because they don’t know the value of what they have. They were never educated about rare plants and animals that could be found in their local areas and what to do when they see them.
While Nigeria faces significant challenges in tackling wildlife crime, there are successful strategies from around the world that offer valuable lessons. For instance, Kenya has made significant strides in wildlife conservation through community-based approaches. The establishment of conservancies, where local communities manage and benefit from wildlife resources, has been instrumental in reducing poaching and habitat destruction.
The Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT), for example, works with local communities in northern Kenya to establish conservancies that protect wildlife while providing sustainable livelihoods. These initiatives have not only reduced wildlife crime but also improved the economic well-being of those living in conservation areas.
South Africa’s approach to combating wildlife crime, particularly rhino poaching, offers valuable insights as well. The country has implemented a robust legal framework that imposes severe penalties for wildlife crimes, including lengthy prison sentences and substantial fines. South Africa’s specialized environmental courts ensure that wildlife crime cases are handled efficiently and that offenders are held accountable.
In addition to legal measures, South Africa has invested in anti-poaching units equipped with advanced technology, such as drones and surveillance cameras, to monitor wildlife and track poachers. This combination of strong laws, effective enforcement, and the use of technology has significantly reduced rhino poaching in some areas.
Another worthy reference is in Tanzania which has made significant progress in reducing wildlife crime through extensive public awareness campaigns. The 2015 “Poaching Steals from Us All” campaign, launched by the Tanzania Wildlife Authority (TAWA), aimed to educate the public about the negative impacts of poaching on wildlife and the economy. Before then, Tanzania had lost 60% of its elephants to ivory poachers between 2009 and 2014, according to WildAid.
The campaign used various media channels, including television, radio, and social media, to reach a wide audience and foster a sense of national pride in the country’s wildlife heritage. These public awareness efforts have been complemented by community engagement initiatives, where local residents are encouraged to report wildlife crimes and participate in conservation activities. Tanzania’s experience underscores the importance of raising public awareness and building a collective commitment to wildlife conservation.
To effectively combat wildlife crime in Nigeria, several strategies must be implemented. Strengthening law enforcement is critical, requiring investment in training, resources, and the establishment of specialized units. Anti-corruption measures are essential to ensure transparency and accountability within these agencies. Legal reforms are also necessary, with updated wildlife protection laws, increased penalties, and the creation of specialized environmental courts to expedite prosecutions.
Engaging local communities in conservation efforts is vital. By establishing community conservancies that provide economic benefits while protecting wildlife, Nigeria can reduce incentives for wildlife crime and foster a sense of responsibility among residents. International cooperation is also crucial, as wildlife crime often transcends borders. Nigeria should collaborate with regional initiatives like the African Wildlife Enforcement Network (AFRICA-TWIX) and global organizations such as INTERPOL to enhance intelligence sharing and coordinated law enforcement.
Raising public awareness through culturally sensitive campaigns and integrating environmental education into school curricula will further support conservation efforts. Finally, leveraging technology, including drones, satellite imagery, and mobile apps, can enhance monitoring and reporting, making it easier to detect and respond to illegal activities. These combined efforts can significantly strengthen Nigeria’s ability to tackle wildlife crime.
The recent launch of Nigeria’s National Elephant Action Plan (NEAP) reflects a critical step in addressing the alarming decline of the country’s elephant population and tackling wildlife crimes. However, the effectiveness of such initiatives remains uncertain unless deeper systemic challenges, such as corruption, weak law enforcement, and public awareness, are thoroughly addressed.
Nigeria’s wildlife crimes are exacerbated by poverty, outdated legal frameworks, and the country’s role as a hub for transnational wildlife trafficking. Drawing from successful global examples like Kenya’s community-based conservation and South Africa’s stringent legal measures, our country must adopt a multifaceted approach that combines law enforcement, community engagement, and international cooperation to safeguard its biodiversity and ensure the longevity of its conservation efforts.
Olamide is a communications professional currently based in London, United Kingdom. He can be reached across social media platforms @olamidefrancis and via francisolamide1@gmail.com
