Wild Africa pressed the Nigerian government to speed up wildlife protection measures. The organization highlighted the urgent need to combat illegal pangolin trade. They issued this call on World Pangolin Day, February 21, 2026. Moreover they focused on the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill.
Scale of the Crisis
A global report revealed that authorities seized over 530,000 pangolins in illegal trade from 2016 to 2024. The document, prepared by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Pangolin Specialist Group, showed 2,222 seizures across 49 countries. Moreover, scales made up 99 percent of confiscated items.
Nigeria’s Central Role
Nigeria was link to 55 percent of global pangolin scale seizures between 2016 and 2019. The country emerged as a key origin for trafficked parts, alongside Mozambique and Cameroon. Therefore conservationists warned that local populations faced extinction risks.
Statements from Leaders
Dr. Mark Ofua stated, “Nigeria is a custodian of precious biodiversity, but our pangolins are being trafficked into extinction.” As Wild Africa’s West Africa spokesperson, he added, “This World Pangolin Day, let’s make history for the right reasons.”
Additionally Peter Knights OBE declared, “With few natural predators and slow reproduction rates, pangolins cannot sustain human exploitation.” As CEO of Wild Africa, he continued, “Recent changes to reduce the use of scales in China should help, but we need more public awareness and better enforcement in Africa if they are to survive.”
Enforcement Efforts
Nigeria’s agencies achieved successes, such as arresting a suspected broker in December 2024. They seized 2.179 tonnes of scales from about 1,100 animals. Since 2021, operations led to 35 arrests and 21,582 tonnes of seizures. However experts stressed that stronger laws remained essential.
Regional Initiatives
West African governments launched the first Regional Pangolin Conservation Action Plan for 2026–2056. The plan aimed to coordinate monitoring and community efforts. Thus, it supported broader calls to protect all eight threatened pangolin species.