“This Bill sends an unambiguously clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the use of its borders for trafficking of illegal wildlife products,” Ugbor said.
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has passed the Wildlife Protection Bill through its third reading, marking a major legislative move to combat illegal wildlife trade across West Africa.
The bill, backed by Deputy House Committee Chair Terseer Ugbor, introduces stiffer penalties, asset forfeiture, and inter-agency collaboration. “This Bill sends an unambiguously clear message that Nigeria will not tolerate the use of its borders for trafficking of illegal wildlife products,” Ugbor said.
Wildlife vet Dr Mark Ofua, who helped draft the bill, noted, “It addresses all the loopholes. It empowers investigators. It brings in financial tracking. And it puts teeth in the judiciary.”
Nigeria has been linked to over 30 tonnes of ivory and more than half of the world’s seized pangolin scales. Conservationists welcomed the bill as a regional game-changer.
“The delays were only due to other emergencies,” said Ofua. “But with the support we’re seeing, I believe it will become law before the end of the year.”