Why Ivory?

Ivory is used to create jewelry, carvings, decorations, and religious objects. Its smooth appearance, rarity, and connection to wealth has made it a luxuary item to some. Every polished carving starts with an elephant being hunted and killed.

Why Nigeria?

Nigeria is used as a "transit hub" for elephants killed across West and Central Africa to asian markets. Tusks are transported across borders, stored in warehouses, concealed inside shipping containers, and exported through Lagos toward markets in Asia. Organized criminal networks coordinate this trade through brokers, drivers, shipping agents, exporters, corrupt officials, and international buyers.

Corruption 

Traffickers may bribe border guards, pay customs officers to ignore containers, falsify shipping documents, or receive warnings before inspections. Nigeria’s corruption score is 26 out of 100 (0 being the most corrupt to 100 being the least corrupt). This shows how the abuse of public power can help criminals operate in the country.

Poverty 

Roughly 63% of Nigerians are in poverty, meaning millions face struggles involving income, education, healthcare, housing, and sanitation. Poverty does not cause ivory trafficking, and poor communities are not responsible for it. Criminal networks provide opportunities to people living in poverty by offering them money to drive vehicles, load containers, guard warehouses, or carry packages.

Why care?

When an elephant is killed, the damage does not end with that animal. The ecosystem loses an animal that spreads seeds, creates pathways, and helps other wildlife find water. Communities can lose tourism income and future conservation opportunities. Meanwhile, criminal networks become richer, corruption becomes stronger, and vulnerable people continue to be exploited.