Nigeria’s Senate has passed a law imposing up to 10 years in prison and fines of 12 million naira for wildlife traffickers, marking a major step to curb illegal trade in endangered species. The legislation targets ivory, pangolin scales and other protected animals, aiming to dismantle networks and prosecute offenders more severely.

Nigeria has long served as a transit hub for global wildlife trafficking. The new law empowers courts to confiscate assets and prosecute repeat offenders, reflecting a national shift toward stricter conservation enforcement.

Environmental groups have praised the move as a breakthrough in West Africa, where weak penalties previously let traffickers act with impunity. The reform also aligns with global campaigns to treat wildlife crime as a serious threat to biodiversity and security.

Experts say Nigeria’s example could encourage similar reforms across the continent’s wildlife corridors, strengthening cross-border conservation efforts.