Nigeria Strengthens Wildlife Law to Combat Trafficking Hub
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Nigeria's Senate has passed a new bill to bolster the country's wildlife legislation, which is now awaiting presidential approval. The move aims to address Nigeria's role as a hub for international trafficking rings and a history of low prosecution rates for such crimes.
Facts First
- Nigeria's Senate passed a new wildlife bill in October 2025
- The bill is awaiting the president's signature
- Nigeria serves as a hub for international wildlife trafficking rings
- Only 11 trafficking cases went to court from 2012-2021, resulting in three convictions
- Convicted individuals paid a $240 fine to avoid a three-year jail sentence
What Happened
In October 2025, the Nigerian Senate passed a new bill designed to strengthen the country's wildlife legislation. The bill is currently awaiting the president's signature. The legislation sponsor is Terseer Ugbor, the vice chair of the environment committee in the House of Representatives, who spoke to Mongabay about the bill in September 2025. Nigeria has been identified as a hub for international trafficking rings operating across Africa, Europe, and Asia, with large seizures of illegally trafficked products like ivory and pangolin scales occurring in recent years. Official records from 2012 to 2021 show only 11 wildlife trafficking cases went to court, resulting in three convictions. In each of those cases, the convicted individuals paid a fine equivalent to $240 to avoid a three-year jail sentence.
Why this Matters to You
If you are concerned about biodiversity or the illegal trade that threatens species like elephants and pangolins, this legislative development may represent a step toward more effective protection. A stronger legal framework could potentially lead to more prosecutions and deterrence for trafficking networks that use Nigeria as a transit point. Mongabay's interviews with prosecutors, enforcement officials, campaigners, and traders suggest enforcement is a complex issue being examined.
What's Next
The bill awaits the president's signature to become law. Its implementation could lead to changes in how wildlife trafficking cases are prosecuted and punished in Nigeria.