The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled an elephant sculpture crafted from pulverised wildlife stockpiles, marking the climax of the disposal of approximately six tonnes of confiscated wildlife items under the custody of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA).
As the designated CITES enforcement authority in Nigeria, NESREA’s efforts culminated in this significant symbolic gesture.
The sculpture, the first of its kind in Nigeria, represents the country’s zero-tolerance stance against wildlife trafficking and its dedication to protecting endangered species of wild fauna and flora. This event marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade, which poses a major threat to the country’s biodiversity and global conservation efforts.
Between 2011 and 2023, concerted efforts by NESREA and sister agencies such as the Nigerian Customs Service led to the arrest of several suspects. Confiscated items included 185 bags of pangolin scales weighing 3,991 kg, 11 bags of crocodiles and other listed reptiles, leopard skins and feathers weighing 102 kg and 2,500 kg of ivory, all kept in the custody of NESREA.
In October 2023, NESREA incinerated the seized pangolin scales and other animal skins, followed by the crushing of the confiscated ivory in January 2024. Both exercises were carried out with the support of the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation (EPIF) of the United Kingdom and the United States Embassy in Nigeria.
During the unveiling of the statue, crafted from the residue of pulverised confiscated stockpiles, the Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako officially named it the ‘Giwa Statue of Renewed Hope.’ He reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to eradicate wildlife trafficking in Nigeria. Salako called on Nigerians to support the fight against illegal wildlife trafficking by providing intelligence, discouraging animal poaching, and refusing to use products that are not ethically sourced. He emphasised, “We need wildlife for our survival, well-being, and prosperity as they maintain ecological balance, sustain the food chain, and keep us connected to nature.”
Director-general of NESREA, Dr. Innocent Barikor stated, “This elephant sculpture symbolises Nigeria’s commitment to zero tolerance for Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) at all levels, and it serves as proof to CITES communities that Nigeria has not relented in fulfilling its obligations to international environmental conventions and promoting eco-tourism.”
NESREA, a parastatal of the Federal Ministry of Environment, is charged with enforcing all environmental laws, policies, guidelines, standards and regulations. It also ensures compliance with the provisions of multilateral environmental agreements, protocols, conventions and treaties to which Nigeria is a signatory.
