Nigeria, WJC Sign MoU On Wildlife Protection

Lydia Beshel
Sep, Wed, 2025

Environment

Nigeria, WJC Sign MoU on Wildlife Protection

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MoU
By Doris Esa, Edited by Sadiya Hamza

The Federal Government of Nigeria has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC), an international non-governmental organisation based in The Hague, Netherlands, to strengthen wildlife protection in the country.

The MoU provides a framework for cooperation to combat transnational organised criminal networks involved in trafficking wildlife, fish, and timber.

The agreement was signed by Prof. Innocent Barikor, Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), and Stephen Carmody, Chief of Investigations at the WJC, represented by Abim Isafiade, Regional Manager for West and Central Africa.

Barikor said the MoU would boost intelligence-sharing, enhance forensic and legal collaboration, and support future work of the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force.

“This MoU aligns with Nigeria’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and demonstrates our government’s determination to conserve biodiversity and protect threatened species. Together with WJC, we will make Nigeria a hostile environment for wildlife traffickers,” he said.

Executive Director of WJC, Olivia Swaak-Goldman, noted that the partnership would inject new momentum into Nigeria’s enforcement efforts.

“By working with NESREA and the Nigerian Wildlife Law Enforcement Task Force, we can sustain and deepen reforms, ensuring Nigeria continues to lead in intelligence-led enforcement,” she said.

The MoU reflects the shared commitment of NESREA and WJC to fight wildlife crime, dismantle criminal networks, and safeguard species from extinction.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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