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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is home to a vast array of wildlife, ranging from elephants in the savannas to unique bird species in its forests.
However, this rich biodiversity is under significant threat due to habitat destruction, poaching, and illegal wildlife trade.
In recent years, animal activism and wildlife conservation have gained momentum in Nigeria, as various stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, international bodies, and local communities, come together to address these challenges.
An urgent priority
Wildlife conservation in Nigeria is not a new concept, but its urgency has escalated in the face of rapidly declining animal populations.
The country boasts several protected areas, including national parks and reserves, yet these have not been sufficient to stem the tide of biodiversity loss.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, several species in Nigeria are classified as critically endangered, including the Cross River gorilla and the African forest elephant.
The causes of these declines are multifaceted and involve both direct threats like poaching and indirect threats like habitat fragmentation due to agricultural expansion and logging, according to Cambridge University Press.
The Nigerian government has made efforts to combat these threats through legislation, such as the Endangered Species (Control of International Trade and Traffic) Act, which aims to regulate the trade in endangered species.
However, enforcement remains weak, and illegal activities continue to threaten wildlife.
In a 2023 study, it was noted that over 80 per cent of Nigeria’s forest cover has been lost since 1900, significantly reducing the habitats available for wildlife.
Animal activism
Animal activism in Nigeria has historically been limited, and overshadowed by other pressing social and economic issues.
However, the tide is turning as more Nigerians become aware of the ethical and environmental implications of animal rights.
Organisations like the Nigerian Conservation Foundation and the Wildlife Conservation Society have been pivotal in this shift, advocating stronger wildlife protection laws and raising public awareness about the importance of animal welfare.
Social media has also played a crucial role in amplifying the voices of animal rights activists. Campaigns against inhumane practices, such as the anti-dog eating movement, have gained significant traction online.
These campaigns highlight the cultural and ethical dimensions of animal rights, challenging traditional practices and advocating for humane treatment of animals.
The anti-dog eating campaign, in particular, has sparked nationwide debate, with activists calling for an end to the consumption of dog meat, which is still prevalent in some parts of Nigeria.
Non-governmental organisations and international bodies have been at the forefront of wildlife conservation and animal activism in Nigeria.
The NCF is one of the leading NGOs working towards the protection of Nigeria’s biodiversity. Founded in 1980, the NCF has been involved in numerous conservation projects, including the establishment of protected areas, community-based conservation programmes, and environmental education initiatives.
The NCF’s efforts have been instrumental in raising awareness about the importance of conservation and influencing policy at both the national and local levels.
Additionally, international organisations like the World Wildlife Fund and the IUCN have been active in Nigeria, providing funding, technical expertise, and advocacy support for conservation initiatives.
These organisations work closely with local NGOs and government agencies to implement conservation projects, conduct research, and advocate stronger wildlife protection policies.
Illegal wildlife trade
Nigeria has become a significant hub for illegal wildlife trade, particularly in the trafficking of pangolin scales and other wildlife products.
These activities are not only illegal but also contribute to the decline of endangered species. Several cases highlight the gravity of these infractions.
In 2019, Nigerian authorities intercepted a massive shipment of pangolin scales weighing 12.7 tonnes at the Apapa Seaport in Lagos.
The shipment, destined for Vietnam, was valued at over $2 million and was one of the largest seizures in recent history.
This case underscores Nigeria’s role as a key transit point for the illegal pangolin trade, driven by high demand in Asia for traditional medicine.
Another significant case occurred in January 2020, when the Nigerian Customs Service seized 8.8 tonnes of pangolin scales and 2.5 tonnes of elephant tusks hidden in a container of furniture at the Tin Can Island Port, Lagos.
The consignment, again destined for Asia, highlighted the sophisticated methods used by traffickers to smuggle wildlife products.
In 2021, the Nigerian government, in collaboration with international organisations, made a major bust involving the export of pangolin oil.
Authorities discovered that traffickers were illegally exporting the oil, which is believed to have medicinal properties, to various countries.
This discovery was part of a broader crackdown on illegal wildlife trade that has seen increased efforts to curb the export of pangolin products from Nigeria.
Despite efforts by law enforcement and international cooperation, the illegal trade in pangolin scales, oil, and other wildlife products continues to thrive, driven by high demand and weak enforcement.
Challenges
Despite the growing momentum in animal activism and wildlife conservation, several challenges persist.
One of the most significant obstacles is the lack of adequate funding for conservation projects.
Many of these NGOs and government agencies struggle with limited resources, which hamper their ability to carry out effective conservation activities.
In a 2019 study by Cambridge University Press, it was reported that Nigeria allocates less than one per cent of its national budget to environmental protection, including wildlife conservation.
Another major challenge is the weak enforcement of existing wildlife protection laws.
Poaching and illegal wildlife trade remain rampant, particularly in remote areas where law enforcement is sparse.
The high demand for bushmeat and traditional medicine, both domestically and internationally, continues to drive the illegal hunting of endangered species.
A recent report by TRAFFIC, a global wildlife trade monitoring network, highlighted Nigeria as a major hub for the illegal trade in pangolins, the world’s most trafficked mammal.
Habitat loss due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development is another critical issue.
Another challenge is that Nigeria’s forests, which provide essential habitats for many endangered species, are being rapidly cleared to make way for farming, logging, and urban development.
This has led to significant declines in wildlife populations and increased human-wildlife conflicts.
The Cross River gorilla, for instance, is now confined to a few fragmented forest patches in the country’s southeast due to habitat loss.
Anti-dog eating campaigns and animal rights
The anti-dog eating campaign is one of the most prominent animal rights movements in Nigeria.
Dog meat consumption is a cultural practice in certain parts of the country, particularly in the southeastern and middle belt regions.
However, the practice has come under scrutiny from animal rights activists, who argue that it is inhumane and violates the rights of animals to live free from suffering.
The campaign has gained international attention, with organisations like the Humane Society International supporting efforts to end the dog meat trade in Nigeria. The campaign has been met with mixed reactions in Nigeria.
While some support the movement, citing animal welfare concerns and the need to modernise cultural practices, others argue that it is an attack on cultural heritage.
This has led to heated debates about the role of culture in society and the ethics of consuming animals traditionally considered pets.
Despite the controversy, the anti-dog eating campaign has succeeded in raising awareness about animal rights and has led to a reduction in the public sale of dog meat in some regions.
For instance, a dog meat seller, Emem Kubiat, told our correspondent that God created all animals for man’s consumption and that she would not stop cooking dog meat for her customers because ‘some people do not like it’.
“In some places, fowl (chicken) are used as pets. Don’t we eat chicken in Nigeria? My brother, leave that thing. I will cook my dog meat and my customers will buy it,” she said with a loud laugh.
Several people hold this viewpoint, but a few Nigerians do not.
Mr George Andikan, an anti-dog eating advocate, said it was distressing for anyone to eat ‘man’s best friend’.
“How do people get to eat an animal like a dog? Dogs are just like humans. I don’t know how they do it. It is cruel. How do you slaughter a dog, watch it bleed, cook and eat it?
“A dog that once protect, plays with you and your kids? If that is not cruelty at its apex, I don’t know what is,” he said.
The Senior Vice President (International Campaigns), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Asia, Jason Baker, in an email response to our correspondent, wrote that roasting live animals, crushing kittens to death, and beheading goats are some of the ‘grisly horror scenes’ in Nigeria.
In the response titled, ‘A Dangerous Animal Torturer and Killer Must Be Stopped”, he noted that the internet was riddled with disturbing content, showing outrageous violence meted out to animals.
Citing one example, Baker said, “A man, Enenie Nwa Ite, posts videos of himself beating and starving animals, slowly roasting live animals over open fires, cutting open pregnant animals and torturing and killing their foetuses, slowly splitting puppies open and torturing them to death while they scream in agony, and setting living animals on fire. And there’s more.
“Other baby animals are shown being tortured to death in front of their frantic, bound mothers. Many of the videos urge viewers to send ‘Enenie Nwa Ite’ money and incite viewers to harm animals.”
Baker called on authorities in Nsukka, Enugu State, to take immediate action and remove any animals found in the man’s possession.
Speaking further, he said, “Nigeria’s criminal code prohibits torturing animals, causing them unnecessary suffering, and wounding or killing them unlawfully.
“Although the police have reportedly opened an investigation into this animal torturer, that’s insufficient—he must be arrested immediately.
“Each day that this deadly torturer and killer remains free is one more day for him to inflict unbearable suffering on vulnerable animals.”
According to Baker, law enforcement must treat cases of animal cruelty with the utmost seriousness.
“The link between cruelty to animals and violence against humans is well documented and undeniable.
“Criminal profilers and top law enforcement officials agree: Cruelty to animals is a red flag indicating a high risk for committing future acts of violence.
“Many serial rapists and murderers have a background of harming animals. Psychiatrists identify committing cruelty-to-animals crimes as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders. There’s no doubt that those capable of such wanton viciousness pose a severe danger to communities at large.”
The impact of animal activism on policy
The rise of animal activism in Nigeria is beginning to influence policy decisions.
In recent years, there have been several legislative efforts to strengthen animal protection laws. For instance, the Animal Welfare Bill, said to be under consideration in the National Assembly, seeks to improve the legal framework for the protection of animals in Nigeria.
If passed, the bill would introduce stricter penalties for animal cruelty, regulate the treatment of animals in captivity, and establish guidelines for the humane treatment of animals used in research and agriculture.
At the state level, some governments have taken steps to address animal rights issues.
In Lagos State, for example, there has been a crackdown on the illegal trade in wildlife and exotic pets.
The state government has also launched public awareness campaigns to educate residents about the importance of animal welfare and the legal consequences of animal cruelty.
An environmental activist and campaigner, Sylvia Chukwu, said, “For Nigeria to protect its rich biodiversity and ensure the humane treatment of animals, continued advocacy, public education, and policy reform are essential.”
