FCI recognises Nigeria as contract member for dog breeding

Nigeria has been officially recognised as a contract member country of the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), the globally renowned body for the regulation of pedigree dogs. The announcement, made on Thursday, 27 February 2025, was published on the FCI’s official website, confirming Nigeria’s contract partnership with the organisation.

According to the statement on www.fci.be, Nigeria’s accreditation was formalised through a partnership agreement with the Canine Owners and Breeders Association (COBA), the recognised umbrella body for kennel clubs in Nigeria. COBA, established in 2019, is registered as a non-profit organisation with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC) and plays a pivotal role in the development of canine breeding standards in the country.

Reacting to the development, the FCI described Nigeria’s recognition as a momentous achievement for the country’s dog owners, breeders, and enthusiasts. It also positions Nigeria as the second contract partner of the FCI in West Africa.

The FCI, the world’s most prominent international canine organisation, currently has 99 member countries and contract partners, with each country issuing its own pedigrees for all recognised dog breeds.

Secretary-General of COBA, Omoniyi Ewete, described the accreditation as a historic moment for Nigeria’s dog breeding and pedigree certification ecosystem. He emphasised that the recognition would bring immense benefits to the local canine industry, enhancing international credibility and creating new opportunities for breeders, clubs, and dog owners.

“This development is great news for dog breeders and enthusiasts in Nigeria. It is a moment that warms the hearts of everyone at COBA because of the immense benefits this certification will bring to Nigeria,” Ewete said.

The successful accreditation process followed the inspection visit of Mr. Augusto Benedict Santos III, President of the Asia, Africa, and Oceania (A20) section of the FCI, in late 2024. Nigeria was only the second sub-Saharan African country to be visited by Mr. Santos, underscoring the significance of the country’s inclusion in the FCI network.

The FCI operates across several continents, including Europe, the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. Until now, Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia were among the FCI-affiliated African nations. Nigeria’s inclusion expands Africa’s representation, providing Nigerian breeders access to global best practices in dog breeding, welfare, and competitions.

As a contract partner, COBA will oversee FCI-affiliated dog registration, pedigree issuance, and licensing of kennel clubs in Nigeria. The association is now recognised as the National Kennel Club of Nigeria, responsible for certifying purebred and non-purebred dogs in accordance with global breeding standards.

COBA highlighted several key benefits of the FCI certification, including FCI-certified kennels in Nigeria getting acknowledged globally and ensuring their breeding practices conform to international standards, Nigerian breeders having direct access to FCI’s internationally accepted breed standards, thus eliminating reliance on informal assessments; certified Nigerian breeders and their dogs being eligible to compete in FCI-recognised events, thereby increasing their chances of earning prestigious titles such as International Champion, and boosting the chances of Nigerian breeders, trainers, and kennel clubs having direct access to global canine professionals.

Ewete noted that the certification marks a transformative moment for dog breeding and canine sports in Nigeria, putting the country on par with leading FCI-affiliated nations.

“Being certified by the FCI means that a Nigerian kennel is internationally recognised for adhering to ethical and professional breeding practices. It also ensures that breeders and prospective buyers can rely on verifiable pedigree documentation,” Ewete explained.

He added that the recognition will eliminate guesswork in breed standards, allowing Nigerian breeders to align their programmes with internationally accepted guidelines rather than subjective opinions.

For more details on COBA’s activities and the benefits of FCI membership, visit www.coba.ng.