Nigerian Senate passes wildlife protection bill

By: Abudu Olalekan

Nigeria’s forests just got a lifeline. The Senate’s new bill slams wildlife traffickers with tougher laws. But will it save elephants, pangolins, and our planet’s future? Here’s the real story.

So. Nigeria’s Senate did something huge. They passed a bill. Not just any bill. The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024. And honestly? It’s about time. Because if you’ve been paying attention, you know our wildlife’s been screaming for help. Poachers? Smugglers? They’ve been having a field day. But now? The game’s changing.

The bill’s got teeth. Real ones. It updates old laws. Makes penalties for wildlife crimes way harsher. Like, “you’re gonna regret this” harsh. And get this—it lets investigators dig into money trails. Follow the cash. Because let’s be real, crime’s always about the money. Plus, judges can now fast-track cases. Seize assets from offenders. And if some trafficker tries to hide overseas? Extradition’s on the table. This bill plays by global rules. Aligns with treaties that actually matter.

Terseer Ugbor, the guy who pushed this bill through the House? He’s pumped. “This is a win for Nigeria,” he said. “No doubt. We’re done letting traffickers trash our forests and steal our animals. Our future’s on the line here.”

And honestly? He’s not wrong. Because Nigeria’s become a hotspot for the ugly stuff. Ivory. Pangolin scales. You name it. Smugglers have been shipping it out to Asia like it’s nothing. Over 30 tonnes of ivory since 2015. Half the world’s pangolin scales between 2016 and 2019? Yeah. That’s our “contribution.” Not exactly something to brag about.

But the bigwigs in the conservation world? They’re cheering. Tunde Morakinyo from the Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI) called it “momentous.” For years, he said, traffickers used Nigeria as a pit stop. A “transit country” for animals snatched from all over Africa. Shipped out through our borders, ports, airports. To Europe. To Asia. “This bill,” he added, “aims to shut that down. For good. Our rep’s been taking a beating. Time to fix it.”

Mary Rice from the Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA UK) agreed. “This is huge,” she said. “Nigeria’s sending a message. They’re done being a crime hub. They’re becoming a leader.” And she’s right. Because passing this bill? It’s a statement. A line in the sand.

Peter Knights from Wild Africa (WA) is already looking ahead. “Hope the President signs this fast,” he said. “There’s a big UN meeting on endangered species in November. Uzbekistan. If this becomes law by then? That’d be a win for the President. For Nigeria. Shows we’re serious about fighting this.”

And let’s not forget the folks who helped make this happen. ANI, EIA UK, WA—they’ve been pushing for this. With support from groups like the Pangolin Conservation Fund and the UK’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund. Even the U.S. and EU chipped in. This wasn’t just a government win. It was a team effort.

Now? The bill’s off to the President’s desk. Needs his signature. Then boom. It’s law. And when that happens? Poachers and traffickers? They’d better watch their backs. Because Nigeria’s forests? Our wildlife? They’re finally getting the shield they deserve.