Nigeria currently holds the title for the highest rate of dog meat consumption in Africa. This industry is not a small, local affair.

It is a massive trade that stretches across the entire country, attracting interest from thousands of kilometres away.

According to BBC News Africa, in certain regions, specialized markets serve as the beating heart of this business.

These hubs are so well-known that buyers will travel vast distances just to secure their livestock. It is a booming trade that continues to grow despite international scrutiny.

The Economics of the Trade

The financial side of the market is remarkably consistent. Depending on the size and condition of the animal, a dog usually sells for between $25 and $40. In local currency, this represents a significant transaction.

"In Central Nigeria’s Plateau, dogs are eaten as a traditional delicacy,” theBBC revealed.

For many traders, the dog business is a reliable way to make a living. The demand remains high, and the supply chain is well-established. From rural villages to major trade hubs, the movement of these animals is a daily reality.

Beliefs and Traditional Protection

The reasons for such high consumption go beyond simple hunger. For many, eating dog meat is tied to deeply held traditional beliefs.

Some consumers believe that the meat offers a form of medicinal or spiritual protection. There is a common belief that if someone tries to poison a person who regularly eats dog meat, the poison will have no effect.

ALSO READ: Driver arrested with kilos of donkey meat at the popular Burma Market

“If somebody poisons you, they cannot harm you if you are eating dog meat. If maybe you want to charm a woman, you can use the heart or the liver of a dog and mix it with certain charms, then you can get that woman,” one man explained.

A Nation Divided: The 2021 Petition

Not everyone in Nigeria supports the trade. In 2021, a significant movement began to take shape. Thousands of Nigerians signed a petition to stop the consumption of dog meat across the country.

This sparked a national conversation about the role of dogs in modern society.

"Dogs can perceive certain cancers and alert the doctor even before science or machines."

The Case for the Animal

Those leading the movement against the trade argue that dogs are worth more to society alive than as food. They highlight the animal's incredible biological abilities.

Activists point out that dogs can sniff out certain types of cancer, often alerting doctors to the disease before medical machines can detect it. There is also a social argument: statistics suggest that children often perform better and show improved development when they grow up with dogs.

Background Context

While the BBC News Africa report focuses on the primary trade hubs, it is important to note that dog meat consumption is not uniform across Nigeria. It is most common in specific regions, such as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and parts of the Middle Belt.

In other areas, particularly the Muslim-majority north, the practice is almost non-existent for religious reasons. This cultural divide adds another layer to the ongoing debate within the country.

Nigeria remains a country at a crossroads. While traditional markets continue to thrive and draw in buyers from far and wide, the voices calling for animal rights are becoming louder and more organized.