Nigeria Needs To Conserve The Ecosystem and Protect Wildlife – Speaker 

The Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Tajudeen Abbas has called on Nigerians to support the country’s ecosystem and protect its wildlife.

The Speaker made the call at a One Day Public Hearing on ” The Endangered Species Conservation And Protection Bill, 2024, ( HB1085), held in Abuja.

Represented by the Minority Whip of the House, Mr. Ali Isa Jesse, the speaker said that Nigeria is blessed with beautiful founa and flora.

” This gathering underscores our collective commitment to safeguarding the rich biodiversity that Nigeria is blessed with, and to ensure the future of our precious fiora and fauna.

” Nigeria boasts a remarkable array of wildlife, from the majestic African elephant, Calabar Gorilla, the vibrant Nigerian grey parrot and the magnificent West African manatee. These creatures are not just captivating inhabitants of our forests, savannahs, and waterways, they are integral to the delicate balance of our environment. Their presence plays a vital role in maintaining ecological stability, supporting healthy ecosystems, and providing vital resources for our communities.

” Nigeria is also home to seven of the eleven species of vulture in Africa, many of which are now endangered or vulnerable. The rate at which species across Nigeria are facing extinction is a stark reminder of the urgent need for a decisive legislative action to halt this negative trend.

” We have become the world’s most significant transit point for illegal ivory and pangolin scales smuggled from Africa to Asia. Between 2016 and 2019, more than half of pangolin scales seized globally came from Nigeria. In January 2019, Hong Kong Customs seized $8 million worth of elephant tusks and pangolin scales from a shipping container from Nigeria”. Mr. Abbas said.

He also said that conservationists estimate that Nigeria has less than 500 elephants, 100 Cross River gorillas and about 50 lions left.

” Pangolins are endangered or on the brink of extinction. At the same time, other species are in decline, including crocodiles and antelope species such as cane rats and duikers, which are widely available in ‘bush meat’ markets across the country. This decline is due to habitat loss, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, and Climate change which adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by these already vulnerable species”. He said.

The Speaker also said that the loss of biodiversity weakens Nigeria’s ecosystem resilience, making it more susceptible to environmental disturbances.

” The disruption of ecological balance can lead to the decline of other species, impacting food security and potentially triggering unforeseen consequences for human health”. The speaker noted.

He added that pouching of illegal wildlife poses threats to Nigeria, the country is committed to protecting wildlife and ending pouching in the country.

The Chairman of the Committee on Treaties, Protocols and Agreement, Mr. Rabiu Yusuf, said that the public hearing became imperative to address major challenges facing the Nigerian Ecosystem.

He said that there was the need to turn Nigeria wildlife and environment into economic use.

He noted that ecotourism, which relies on healthy ecosystems and vibrant wildlife populations, can be a powerful driver of economic growth.

He also called on Nigerians to support the bill.

On his part, the sponsor of the bill, Mr. Terser Ugbo, commended the stakehoders and prayed for a successful public hearing.

The hearing brought together stakeholders in the conservation and environment sector.