Wildlife Protection Bill Has Potential To Tackle Illegal Animal Trade

Environmental protection organisations across the world have lauded the progression of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, saying it has the potential to help tackle illegal wildlife trade.

Speaking against the backdrop of the bill successfully passing third reading in the House of Representatives in Nigeria and set to be sent to the Senate for concurrence, the executive director of of Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), Tunde Morakinyo, stated that Nigeria has shown its commitment to combat wildlife trafficking.

“The steady progress of this bill is a testament to Nigeria’s firm commitment to strengthening wildlife governance, combating wildlife trafficking, and positioning itself as a leader in conservation.

“The lawmakers and leadership of the House of Representatives deserve commendation for their vision, dedication, and commitment to this crucial step towards protecting Nigeria’s environment and its wildlife,” he stated.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of London-based Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA UK), Mary Rice, welcomed the progress made on the proposed legislation.
She said, “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.”

The chief executive officer of Wild Africa (WA), Peter Knights, said it’s a step for Nigeria to lead the region in combatting wildlife crime.
“This is a great step forward for Nigeria to lead the region in combatting wildlife crime.”

The sponsor of the Bill, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, said the historic Bill enhances Nigeria’s response to serious and organised wildlife trafficking and introduces stricter penalties for wildlife crime.

Hon. Ughor, who is also the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, said the bill 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.

Hon. Ughor said, “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. By modernising our laws, we want to ensure that future generations will continue to benefit from the ecological and economic value of our biodiversity.”

ANI, EIA UK and WA have been actively supporting the Nigerian Government’s efforts to fight illegal wildlife trafficking. Support for these activities in the region has been generously supported by the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, the US 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 his assent.