Nigeria is one of Africa’s most wildlife-rich countries, filled with incredible plants and animals spread across rainforests, savannahs, wetlands, and mangroves. From the rare Cross River gorilla to the mighty African elephant and colorful grey parrot, as well as the African Leopard, these species are more than just natural wonders—they are vital to the environment and a source of pride to the nation.
Unfortunately, this rich natural heritage, which is the pride of the Africa continent, may in the not-too-distant future become a thing of history, just like the case of the dinosaurs and the great prehistoric reptiles. Many animals, such as the pangolin, African wild dog, leopard, and manatee, are on the edge of extinction due to numerous human activities.
Over the years, the situation has grown worse and requires urgent action to protect the environment and African wildlife.
One major issue that requires urgent attention is the devastating effect of deforestation, where trees are constantly cut down for farming, illegal logging, and expanding cities. These activities have led to the destruction of large expanses of African forests that inhabit these wild creatures, making survival a daunting task for them.
There are several threats to the survival of these endangered species in the wild, among which are rapid shrinking of the forest by the day leaving wildlife creatures without homes, illegal hunting and poaching. with animals like elephants, leopards, pangolins and snakes like python boa and cobra being targeted for their tusks, skin, and scales. The black market for bushmeat and exotic animal parts has grown due to poor law enforcement and high demand, both in Nigeria and overseas.
Climate change has led to rising temperatures, unpredictable weather conditions, desertification—especially in the northern part of Nigeria—and changing habitats, making survival much more challenging for these natural wonders and impacting negatively on their survival, growth, and multiplication. Industrial activities, such as oil drilling and mining, also add to the layer of the problem by polluting the environment.
The Niger Delta, for example, has suffered greatly from oil spills that destroyed vast areas of natural habitats and made life unbearable for both humans and animals alike. This sorry tale is not limited to Niger Delta alone but cuts across several other states of the federation. The loss of these species affects everyone—humans, animals, and plants. Take, for instance, the extinction of several species of insects that serve as agents of pollination. It means that a time will come when there will not be enough fruits for consumption, or when plants turn pale due to insufficient water, or when fishes and other aquatic creatures in our streams, rivers, and canals all die due to toxicity caused by indiscriminate dumping or channeling of refuse/waste materials into them.
Nature is deeply connected to human life, providing food, clean water, and even helping regulate the climate. If these animals disappear, it will harm the balance of our ecosystems and take away resources that future generations will rely on. This is a crisis we can no longer ignore. Both the government and the people must step up now to protect Nigeria’s wildlife and the environment. It’s not just about saving animals; it’s about preserving the future for everyone.
The government in Nigeria, at all levels, has a key role to play in the fight to save endangered species. This can be achieved by enacting enabling laws and enforcing strong policies that will check the illegal activities of unscrupulous individuals and groups, setting up protected and exclusive areas, and working with international partners. The government has the power to stop the loss of biodiversity and preserve the country’s natural treasures.
However, there are still big challenges that need to be addressed quickly to make these efforts truly effective. Formulating and enforcing policies and laws that are essential for protecting wildlife, such as the Endangered Species Act and National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Act (NESREA), is crucial. The efforts of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency are crucial in controlling activities that harm endangered species.
The laws and policies put in place aim to stop illegal wildlife trade, prevent habitat destruction, and promote the responsible use of natural resources. However, enforcing these laws has been a challenge—offenders often face light penalties when apprehended and brought before the judge, corruption within law enforcement weakens the system, and many people are unaware of these regulations due to ineffective communication and poor enlightenment and awareness.
To make these laws more effective, the government needs to train officers better, introduce stricter punishments for violators, and educate the public on why the laws are necessary. The effectiveness of protected areas is also crucial. Protected areas like national parks, game reserves, and wildlife sanctuaries are essential for saving wildlife. Nigeria has several important areas, such as the Yankari Game Reserve, Cross River National Park, Gashaka Gumti National Park and others which provide safe havens for many endangered species.
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Though the parks serve as sanctuaries and safe heaven for the recovery and growth of the wildlife, they are faced with serious challenges among which are; Local communities often encroachment on them, affecting their operation negatively. Inadequate funding that affects the operations of the wildlife sanctuaries negatively, leading to poor infrastructure and lack of basic facilities, as well as poor remuneration of staff and employees, making it hard to protect wildlife properly. Poaching, for example, remains a big problem because there aren’t enough patrols and sensitization of local communities to arrest the situation.
To improve these protected areas, the government needs to invest more in better facilities, hire more rangers, and work with local communities to manage these parks together. Enforcing wildlife laws in Nigeria is a tough challenge. Corruption in law enforcement often allows offenders to go unpunished, and a lack of funding makes it hard to monitor wildlife and take legal action.
Additionally, environmental issues often don’t get the attention they deserve, as other development priorities are given more focus. To fix these problems, the government needs to strengthen the institutions responsible for enforcement, ensure that there’s accountability within these agencies, and build partnerships with private companies to provide extra funding and resources.
Political leaders also need to see biodiversity conservation as a key part of the country’s development and make it a priority in their actions. In recent years, the government has started taking steps to fight the loss of biodiversity through programs like the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) and reforestation efforts.
Working with international organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has helped bring in expertise and funding for important conservation projects. Campaigns like those by the Wildlife Conservation Society to protect the Cross River gorilla, along with awareness programs to fight wildlife trafficking, have also made a difference.
The government’s involvement in global agreements like the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) shows its dedication to tackling wildlife crime on the world stage. To truly protect its endangered species, Nigeria needs a comprehensive approach. This includes improving law enforcement, boosting funding for conservation, involving local communities, and making the most of international partnerships.
By making biodiversity conservation a priority in both policies and actions, Nigeria can protect its natural heritage and set a path for sustainable growth. The government has the power and resources to make a difference, but its success depends on strong leadership and working together with citizens and other groups.
If everyone plays their part, Nigeria’s unique wildlife can continue to thrive for future generations. The time to act is now, and the government must take the lead in this fight. By doing so, Nigeria can ensure that its incredible wildlife continues to inspire wonder and awe for generations to come.