Nigeria enacts tough law on wildlife trafficking

October 29, 2025

Nigeria has approved a groundbreaking wildlife protection bill that imposes fines of up to ₦12 million ($8,200) and prison sentences of up to 10 years for anyone caught trafficking ivory, pangolin scales, or other endangered species. The legislation, passed by the Senate on Tuesday, marks a major step toward ending the country’s role as a global hub for illegal wildlife trade.

A strong move against Illegal wildlife trafficking

According to conservation experts, the new law will strike a major blow against organized criminal networks that have turned Nigeria into a trafficking hotspot. These syndicates have been connected to over 30 tonnes of illegal ivory since 2015 and more than half of global pangolin scale trafficking between 2016 and 2019.

The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which had earlier cleared the lower house of parliament in May, replaces outdated regulations that imposed weak penalties — as little as ₦100,000 ($68) or just a few months in jail.

Expanded powers for enforcement

The new legislation empowers the Nigerian Customs Service to track financial transactions linked to wildlife crimes and to search, detain, or seize any aircraft or vessel suspected of transporting prohibited species. It also enables courts to fast-track cases and confiscate assets obtained through illegal wildlife activities.

Aligning with global conservation standards

Beyond curbing trafficking, the law bans pollution of wildlife habitats and the consumption of endangered species, aligning Nigeria’s environmental policy with international treaties such as the UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It also facilitates the extradition of offenders involved in cross-border wildlife crimes.

“This is a major victory for Nigeria and a clear demonstration of our commitment to eradicating wildlife trafficking and protecting our unique biodiversity,” said Terseer Ugbor, the lawmaker who sponsored the bill.

Conservation groups applaud the move

Environmental organizations have praised the reform, saying it will help preserve Africa’s rich biodiversity.

“For too long, traffickers have exploited Nigeria as a transit hub for the illegal wildlife trade, moving endangered animals and products from across Africa through our ports and airports to Europe and Asia,” said Tunde Morakinyo, Executive Director of the Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI).

Conservationists are now urging President Bola Tinubu to sign the bill into law before the upcoming CITES summit in Uzbekistan this November, reinforcing Nigeria’s leadership in wildlife conservation and sustainable environmental governance.