Nigeria’s wildlife protection bill scheduled for public hearing

The public hearing for the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, 2024, has been scheduled to be held in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on October 24, 2024.

The bill, spearheaded by Hon. Terseer Ugbor, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Environment, aims to address urgent wildlife conservation issues, including illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss.

The announcement comes on the heels of a troubling report from the Wild Africa Fund, which revealed a 73% decline in Nigeria’s elephant population over the past three decades.

Current estimates indicate that only 300 to 400 elephants remain in the country, a significant drop from the 1,200 to 1,500 individuals reported two decades ago.

The report noted poaching, habitat destruction, and increasing human-wildlife conflict as primary threats to the species’ survival.

Ugbor noted the importance of the upcoming hearing, stating, “Protecting our wildlife means protecting livelihoods and ensuring a balanced ecosystem, and we can’t allow wildlife trafficking to continue to threaten our natural heritage.”

He, however, urged public participation in the hearing noting that the hearing will provide a platform for everybody to voice their opinions on the issue. “We urge everyone to participate in this vital conversation,” he added.

The public hearing will be held jointly by the House of Representatives Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreements and its Committee on the Environment.

The proposed bill aims to enhance law enforcement capabilities, granting investigators broader powers to tackle financial matters and conduct intelligence-led operations.

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It also seeks to expedite the legal process for wildlife cases and align Nigeria’s efforts with international treaties, introducing harsher penalties for poachers and traffickers.

Support for the bill has been robust, attracting endorsements from both local and international organizations, including the Africa Nature Investors Foundation (ANI), the Environmental Investigation Agency UK (EIA), and the Wild Africa (WA).

These groups have pledged their assistance to the government in combating wildlife trafficking, with backing from international entities such as the US Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the UK Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund.