By Abbas Nazil
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has warned that wildlife crime poses a serious threat to sustainable development, national security, and economic stability, calling for urgent and coordinated action to combat the growing challenge.
UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, Cheikh Toure, issued the warning during the #BeWildForNature Youth Network event held in Abuja to mark World Wildlife Day 2026, where stakeholders gathered to address conservation challenges and promote environmental protection.
Toure stressed that wildlife crime should not be viewed solely as an environmental issue but as a complex threat with implications for human health, cultural heritage, and governance systems.
He described the illegal exploitation of wildlife as a form of transnational organised crime that fuels illicit financial flows, weakens institutions, and deprives countries of valuable natural resources.
The UNODC official highlighted the importance of prioritising wildlife protection within national development strategies, noting that stronger institutions, effective enforcement, and enhanced partnerships are essential to tackling environmental crimes.
He also emphasised the significance of the 2026 World Wildlife Day theme, “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods,” noting that these resources are critical for traditional medicine, cultural identity, and economic livelihoods across Africa.
However, he warned that such resources are increasingly under threat from overexploitation, habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal trade, which could have long-term consequences for communities and ecosystems.
Toure commended the #BeWildForNature Youth Network for mobilising young people to take active roles in conservation, explaining that the initiative has evolved from a digital campaign into a structured platform for youth engagement and innovation.
He noted that participants in the programme have undergone training, mentorship, and capacity-building activities, enabling them to lead community-based awareness campaigns and conservation efforts.
The UNODC representative further underscored the importance of youth inclusion in decision-making processes, stating that young people are critical partners in translating environmental policies into tangible outcomes.
He reaffirmed UNODC’s commitment to supporting Nigeria through capacity building for law enforcement and judicial institutions, promoting inter-agency collaboration, and empowering communities to combat environmental crime.
In a related address, United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Mohammed Fall, represented by UNICEF official Wafaa Saeed, highlighted the link between environmental protection and human wellbeing, stressing that healthy ecosystems are essential for economic growth and social stability.
He called for stronger collaboration among governments, international organisations, civil society, and local communities, noting that no single institution can effectively address biodiversity loss alone.
Fall also pointed out that medicinal plants serve as primary healthcare sources for millions of people and are deeply connected to indigenous knowledge systems and local economies, making their protection a development priority.
He warned that biodiversity loss, unsustainable harvesting, and environmental degradation continue to threaten these resources, urging stakeholders to move from dialogue to practical action.
Lawmaker Terseer Ugbor also called for increased public awareness of wildlife protection laws, noting that effective implementation of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill would depend on widespread understanding and community participation.
He stressed that educating citizens about endangered species and conservation responsibilities is critical to ensuring long-term protection of Nigeria’s biodiversity.
Participants at the event were encouraged to strengthen partnerships, share knowledge, and commit to collective action to safeguard natural resources for present and future generations.
