Abuja – 31 October 2024: Data from numerous research publications and trends, including the UNODC World Wildlife Crime Reports 2020 and 2024, as well as the Organized Crime in Nigeria: A Threat Assessment 2023, indicate that illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products poses a serious threat not only to Nigeria’s rich ecosystem and biodiversity but also to sustainable development and socio-economic growth. Nigeria has become a major consolidation and transit hub for trafficking illicit wildlife and forest products such as pangolin scales, ivory, rosewood and other protected species of fauna and flora from Eastern and Central Africa. These products enter the country through porous land borders and exploit Nigeria’s advanced sea and airport infrastructure. Corruption undermines the capacity of organizations to undertake proactive detection, interception, investigation and prosecution of crimes that affect the environment.
The 17th meeting of the Conference of Parties to CITES (COP17) adopted a resolution 17.6 on “Prohibiting, preventing, detecting and countering corruption, which facilitates activities conducted in violation of the Convention”. Decision 17.83 also called for developing guidelines that could “assist Parties to mitigate the risks of corruption in the trade chain as it relates to CITES-listed specimens”. Similarly, Article 15 of Resolution 8/12 of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) to which Nigeria is a signatory, “Encourages States parties, where appropriate and in accordance with the fundamental principles of their legal systems, to take measures to assess and mitigate corruption risks along the value chains to prevent and counter offenses covered by the Convention”.
UNODC’s Global Programme for Combating Wildlife and Forest Crime and the Corruption and Economic Crime Branch have developed practical tools to support wildlife management authorities in strengthening their capacity to mitigate the risk of corruption that prevents them from achieving their mandate to protect wildlife.
In response to the Nigerian Government's 2019 request for stronger action against wildlife crime, UNODC has, since 2021, implemented various initiatives to help prevent corruption in the wildlife and forestry sectors. These efforts support one of the key objectives of Nigeria's 2022-2026 National Strategy to Combat Wildlife and Forest Crime. Through its project: “Strengthening Nigeria’s Response to the Trafficking of Wildlife and Forest Products Phase II” funded by the Government of Germany and in collaboration with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC), UNODC is supporting the process of reconstituting Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) and building the capacity of its members to effectively perform their duties as stipulated in the Standing Order for the Operations of ACTUs in MDAs (2023). This intervention has inspired the National Park Service (NPS) and the Nigeria Customs Service, to reconstitute the ACTUs in their Headquarters on 13 September 2024 and 24 October 2024 respectively.
To advance the implementation of the Corruption Risk Mitigation strategies, UNODC partnered with ICPC to deliver a 3-day capacity-building workshop for members of the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Units (ACTUs) within the Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV), the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the Nigeria National Park Service (NPS), and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), along with other related interventions.
UNODC Representative - Mr. Cheikh Toure, in his opening remarks, commended ICPC’s collaborative support in designing and delivering this intervention while emphasizing the need for the newly reconstituted ACTUs to receive unwavering support from the top management of the various organizations. “I must extend our appreciation to UNODC’s long term partner in matters relating to anti-corruption and transparency initiatives, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for the excellent partnership displayed in the design and implementation of this workshop and related interventions.” As he encouraged participants to translate the acquired knowledge to real impact, he added “It has become the common lore that when you fight corruption, corruption fights back. But we hope that the knowledge, skills and support from this intervention to strengthen the ACTUs will embolden the agencies to fight back against corruption and its cohorts.”
The Honourable Minister of Environment, in his goodwill message, acknowledged UNODC’s cooperation and understanding that has “contributed immensely to combatting illegal wildlife trade in Nigeria”. He equally urged the participants to leverage the training to strengthen their capacities; foster a culture of integrity within their organizations; and collaborate with peers and stakeholders to share best practices and support policy reforms and legislative enhancements.
In his goodwill message, the Chairman of the ICPC commended UNODC for their continued support and partnership with the Nigerian government to strengthen National Institutions that combat crimes. He remarked “Forest and wildlife are critical to the sustainability of our ecosystems and their protection cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, these sectors are often vulnerable to exploitation due to corruption and weak enforcement mechanisms. As such, building the capacity of those charged with safeguarding our natural resources is not only important but imperative for the future of Nigeria's environment and overall security.”
The conservator General of the Nigeria National Park Service expressed satisfaction at the training and assured that the effort would go a long way in ridding the Service of any form of corrupt practices and imbibing the same in its modes of operation.
The Director General of NESREA, represented by Mrs. Bintu Mo Kolo, Director, of Partnership and Education, added that the workshop is “timely and essential, as it addresses the growing need to promote transparency, accountability and good governance within the wildlife and forest authorities.”
