Nigeria Senate approves tough new penalties for wildlife traffickers
The landmark bill introduces fines up to $8,200 and 10-year jail terms to curb illegal trade in ivory, pangolin scales, and other endangered species
ABUJA, Nigeria (MNTV) — Nigeria’s Senate has passed a landmark bill aimed at tightening penalties for wildlife traffickers, marking a significant step toward combating the country’s growing role in the global illegal wildlife trade.
The Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill imposes fines of up to $8,200 and prison sentences of up to 10 years for individuals found guilty of trafficking endangered species.
The legislation updates decades-old laws and grants customs officers broader powers to track financial transactions, detain vessels or aircraft used in smuggling, and seize offenders’ assets.
Lawmakers said the new bill aligns Nigeria with international conservation standards and allows for the extradition of offenders involved in cross-border wildlife crimes. It also bans the pollution of wildlife habitats and the consumption of endangered species, strengthening Nigeria’s commitment to environmental protection.
“This is a huge win for Nigeria and shows our commitment to protecting our unique fauna and flora,” said Terseer Ugbor, the bill’s sponsor.
Conservation groups welcomed the bill as a major victory, saying it could help dismantle international smuggling networks that have turned Nigeria into a key transit hub for illegal wildlife products.
They urged President Bola Tinubu to sign the bill into law before next month’s UN wildlife summit in Uzbekistan, positioning Nigeria as a leader in regional conservation efforts.
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