Environmental NGO Wild Africa has called for urgent and sustained action to curb the illegal bushmeat trade in Nigeria, warning that such practices significantly increase the risk of future pandemics.
The call came in commemoration of World Zoonoses Day, marked annually on July 6 to honour the day Louis Pasteur administered the first rabies vaccine in 1885—an achievement that marked a turning point in the fight against zoonotic diseases.
In a statement signed by Mr. Festus Iyorah, Nigeria Representative for Wild Africa, and made available on Sunday in Lagos, the organisation also urged the National Assembly to accelerate the passage of the new wildlife bill and commit to stronger protection of natural habitats.
Zoonotic diseases, also known as zoonoses, are infectious diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans. According to Iyorah, these include Ebola, Mpox (formerly known as Monkeypox), Lassa fever, and COVID-19—all of which have impacted Nigeria in recent years.
Citing data from the World Health Organisation, he revealed that 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans originate from animals, with 71.8% of those traced directly to wildlife.
Iyorah decried the persistence of the illegal bushmeat trade in Nigeria, particularly the sale of endangered species like pangolins, bats, monkeys, and snakes. These animals are still commonly sold in open markets and by roadside vendors across the country.
While acknowledging that bushmeat serves as a protein source in remote communities, Iyorah warned that growing demand in urban areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt has made the trade more dangerous and widespread.
He noted that government crackdowns during outbreaks such as Ebola and Anthrax were short-lived, with business returning to normal due to weak enforcement and fading public awareness.
He quoted the West Africa Representative at Wild Africa, Dr. Mark Ofua who emphasised the importance of adopting the “One Health” approach, which links human, animal, and environmental health as a strategy to prevent future disease outbreaks.
“World Zoonosis Day is a reminder that protecting wildlife is protecting ourselves,” Ofua stated. “I call on policymakers, communities, and individuals to join hands in preserving Nigeria’s rich biodiversity, halting illegal bushmeat consumption, and investing in sustainable alternatives for those who depend on it.”
Iyorah explained that zoonotic disease transmission can occur through direct or indirect human-animal interactions—including bites, scratches, faeces—as well as through contact with contaminated environments such as abattoirs and wet markets.
Though domestic animals and livestock account for some transmissions, the majority—over 70%—originate from wild species.
He stressed that many of history’s most devastating pandemics were caused by zoonoses from wildlife.
Nigeria, he noted, remains vulnerable. Since 2017, the country has recorded 3,771 suspected and 1,086 confirmed cases of Mpox. Additionally, 589 suspected cases of yellow fever were reported in the first four months of 2024 alone.
“On World Zoonoses Day, experts are sounding the alarm: human-driven actions such as habitat destruction, biodiversity loss, and the bushmeat trade are fueling zoonotic disease outbreaks,” Iyorah said.
“These behaviours not only endanger human health but also threaten wildlife populations and the ecosystems that sustain them.”
He commended recent progress, including the introduction of the Endangered Species Conservation and Protection Bill, which has passed its third reading in the House of Representatives and is awaiting Senate consideration.
He urged further support to ensure it receives presidential assent and is enforced as law.
Wild Africa, he said, is actively campaigning nationwide through TV, radio, print, billboards, and social media to raise awareness about the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.
The organisation also urged the public to stop buying and consuming bushmeat and to support efforts to protect biodiversity and public health.
