The Pangolin Conservation Guild Nigeria (PCGN) celebrated World Pangolin Day 2024 with the theme “Unity for the conservation of pangolins: Working to keep pangolins in the wild”. PCGN had a series of engaging activities days before the D-day for World Pangolin Day celebrations.
 
 
The activities started with a radio awareness program. The Chair PCGN was hosted on Monday, 12th February 2024, on the radio program, Travel with the Twins broadcasting live from the stable of Lagelu 96.7FM. Educative and enlightening program on pangolin importance, their plight, and the need for their conservation. Listeners had the opportunity to phone in to ask questions during and after the program.
 
 
This program was followed by the erection of a pangolin conservation plaque at the University of Ibadan Zoological Garden on February 15th, 2024, symbolizing the commitment of PCGN to making sure that Zoological gardens also take part in pangolin conservation in Nigeria. Wildlife of Africa Conservation Initiative(WACI) supported the production of plaques for zoos.
 
On February 16th, 2024, there was an exciting market rally at Bode Market, which is a major wildlife market in Ibadan city. Awareness was raised in the market community about the importance of protecting the pangolins. Market women asked several questions. Several dead pangolins were found in the market. The University of Ibadan students were taken along on this exercise for them to see firsthand what raising awareness in a local community is. It was a fruitful exercise.
 
 
In the evening of the same day, a webinar featuring Kesley Skinner of Wild Africa Fund provided valuable insights into pangolin conservation efforts globally through these two people and their organizations. This very educative webinar was moderated by Dr. Oladipo Omotosho of PCGN.
 
The climax of celebrations occurred on February 17th, 2024, marking World Pangolin Day. Dignitaries from various agencies and organizations such as the ZSN (Zoological Society of Nigeria), Society for Animal Rights Protection, IITA (International Institute of Tropical Agriculture), NESREA (National Environmental Standards & Regulations Enforcement Agency), Nigerian Army, NSCDC (Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps), NIS (Nigeria Immigration Service), NPS (Nigeria National Park Service), NCF (Nigerian Conservation Foundation), OHDI (One Health and Development Initiative), Hunters Association Ibadan, Academia, the United States Consulate Lagos media crew, and several other Media houses, were present at the event, showcasing the united commitment to pangolin conservation. The presence of schoolchildren representing over twenty schools in Ibadan city and its environs with their teachers added a lot of vitality, with students contributing colourful, well-researched presentations that showcased their dedication to safeguarding pangolins and their habitats.
Through these concentrated efforts, the Pangolin Conservation Working Group Nigeria successfully highlighted the essence of protecting these unique creatures and spurred support for their conservation on a local and global scale.
 
 
We thank Engr. Willy Fleuren, Mr. Okafor Ifeanyi McDonald, Woodfields Farm Ltd Lagos, Biodiversity Conservation Club University of Ibadan, Galaxy Television, Ms. Adisa Favour for Hall Decoration, Wildlife of Africa Conservation Initiative (WACI), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC Nigeria), the US Consulate Lagos and the University of Ibadan for their support.