Local and international environmental stakeholders have hailed the Nigerian Senate’s approval of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, describing it as a landmark move toward safeguarding the nation’s wildlife and ending illegal trafficking of endangered species.
The bill, passed by the House of Representatives in May 2025, will now be forwarded to the President for assent.
According to a statement by Nigeria Representative of Wild Africa, Mr. Festus Iyorah, the bill reinforces Nigeria’s commitment to protecting wild species and stopping criminal networks from using the country as a hub for illegal wildlife trade.
It updates outdated laws, increases penalties for offenders, and empowers investigators to trace illicit financial flows tied to wildlife crimes.
The legislation also mandates faster prosecution of wildlife-related offences, asset confiscation of convicted traffickers, and international cooperation through alignment with global treaties and extradition mechanisms.
These provisions, experts say, will make Nigeria’s enforcement framework one of the strongest in Africa.
Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, Hon. Terseer Ugbor, described the passage as “a clear indication of Nigeria’s seriousness in protecting its rich fauna and flora.”
He noted that stronger laws would help shield forests and wildlife from exploitation, adding that “protecting wildlife is tantamount to safeguarding our environment and our future.”
Executive Director of the Africa Nature Foundation (ANI), Mr. Tunde Morakinyo, said the law would strengthen border control and curb wildlife trafficking.
“For too long, traffickers have exploited Nigeria as a transit route. This bill halts that shameful trade and restores our environmental integrity,” he stated.
Similarly, Executive Director of the Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA UK), Mary Rice, lauded the Senate for its bold action, calling it “a significant milestone and a demonstration of Nigeria’s commitment to shift from being a hub for wildlife crime to becoming a global leader in combating it.”
She urged swift implementation by enforcement agencies and the judiciary.
Chief Executive Officer of Wild Africa, Mr. Peter Knights, appealed to the President to sign the bill ahead of the upcoming UN CITES meeting in Uzbekistan, noting that it would signal Nigeria’s leadership in global wildlife protection.
Conservation groups including ANI, EIA UK, and WA—backed by international partners—pledged continued support for effective enforcement of the law to end wildlife trafficking and restore Nigeria’s global conservation reputation.
Reporting by Innocent Onoh