As Nigeria joins the global community in celebrating World Pangolin Day, Wild Africa, an international conservation organisation, has issued a clarion call for stronger laws and penalties to curb wildlife trafficking, particularly the illegal trade in pangolins.
In a statement released on Saturday, the organisation highlighted Nigeria’s disturbing role as a major hub in the illicit pangolin trade, noting that the country was linked to 55% of pangolin scale seizures worldwide between 2016 and 2019. This, it warned, has placed the world’s most trafficked mammal on the brink of extinction.
Wild Africa stressed the urgent need for public support and government intervention to protect pangolins, which are highly sought after in Asia for their scales—used in traditional medicine—and meat, considered a delicacy.
Despite national and international laws prohibiting their trade, including a 2016 global ban, illegal hunting and trafficking continue to thrive. The organisation underscored that Nigeria must transition from a trafficking hotspot to a champion of pangolin conservation, and this requires collective action.
Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson, Dr. Mark Ofua, emphasized the role of every Nigerian in combating wildlife crimes.
“It is not too late to change the narrative and move Nigeria from its current status as a major trafficking hub to becoming one of Africa’s strongest protectors of pangolins. No action is too small when it comes to protecting wildlife. We must work together to discourage illegal bushmeat trade and support new laws to combat wildlife trafficking.”
To drive public awareness, Wild Africa has launched an extensive media campaign, utilizing radio, television, billboards, and public service announcements featuring Nigerian celebrities like 2Baba, Emmanuella, and Ali Baba to shed light on the threats facing pangolins and their crucial role in the ecosystem.
The organisation also acknowledged Nigeria’s recent legislative strides in tackling wildlife crimes.
> “In early 2024, Nigeria introduced the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which recently passed second reading. If enacted, the bill will impose harsher penalties on wildlife traffickers, particularly those dealing in pangolin scales and other illegal animal products.”
Furthermore, law enforcement efforts are intensifying. In December 2024, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) made a major breakthrough, arresting a suspected pangolin scale broker and confiscating 2.179 tonnes of pangolin scales, equivalent to roughly 1,100 pangolins.
Since July 2021, Nigerian authorities have conducted:
16 operations targeting wildlife traffickers
35 arrests
12 convictions
21.582 tonnes of pangolin scales seized
Despite these successes, Wild Africa warns that the battle is far from over. The demand for pangolin scales—particularly in China, where they are still falsely believed to have medicinal properties—continues to fuel the illegal trade.
China’s Proposal: A Step Forward or Another Loophole?
In its latest submission to the 78th UN CITES Standing Committee Meeting (February 3-8, 2025), China proposed a 90% reduction in pangolin scale use for pharmaceutical and hospital purposes by 2026, alongside a 50% cut in overall medicinal use. However, conservationists remain skeptical.
> “While this represents progress, the proposed 1-metric-ton annual consumption quota could still incentivize illegal poaching and trafficking,” Wild Africa cautioned.
“Pangolins Are Underappreciated and Underprotected”
Peter Knights, CEO of Wild Africa, urged China to completely phase out pangolin scale use in traditional medicine, emphasizing that alternative remedies exist.
> “We hope China will swiftly move to end pangolin scale consumption, as the source of these scales has never been transparent. We also need more awareness and stronger law enforcement in Africa to remove pangolins from illegal bushmeat markets.”
Wild Africa concluded its statement with a call to action:
“Pangolins remain underappreciated and underprotected, and they need global attention and support. We urge Nigerians to report illegal wildlife trade, support conservation projects, and help turn the tide against wildlife crime.”
As Nigeria stands at a crossroads, the question remains: Will the country continue to fuel the pangolin trade, or will it rise as a leader in wildlife conservation?
PIONEER NEWS 