Breaking: Nigeria officially becomes FCI contract member country

The globally renowned body for the regulation of pedigree dogs, FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) has officially announced Nigeria as its contract member country.

The announcement came on Thursday, 27 February 2025 in a communication posted on the website of the FCI, highlighting Nigeria as a contract partner country.

According to the post on www.fci.be the accreditation came through a partnership agreement with its Nigeria counterpart, the Canine Owners and Breeders Association (COBA).

COBA was founded in 2019 and registered as a Non-profit organization with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria (CAC) and serves as an umbrella body for kennel clubs in Nigeria.

“This remarkable achievement marks a momentous period in the lives of our dogs, dog owners and breeders, as it positions Nigeria as the second contract partner to the FCI in West Africa,” the FCI said

The FCI is the world’s most prominent international canine organization, with 99 member countries and contract partners (one member per country), each issuing their own pedigrees for all breeds.

“This development is great news for dog breeders and enthusiasts in Nigeria. It is a development that warms the heart for everyone at the Canine Owners and Breeders Association because of the immense benefits the certification would enact in Nigeria,” the Secretary-General of COBA, Omoniyi Ewete said.

Following the visit of Mr. Augusto Benedict Santos III, President of the Asia, Africa and Oceania section of the FCI in late 2024, Nigeria successfully completed its contract partnership inspection visit. Mr. Santos’s visit marked a significant historical milestone for Nigeria being the second country he visited in sub Saharan Africa.

FCI affiliates and partners are spread across several continents across the world namely: Europe, The Americas & Caribbean; Asia, African and Oceania (A20), while member countries in Africa include Egypt, Ghana, Madagascar, Morocco, South Africa, Tunisia, and, just recently, Nigeria.

As an international dog organization, the FCI prioritizes the promotion of purebred dogs across the world. Its primary goals include standardizing dog breeds; promoting dog shows and competitions; canine welfare as well as cooperation and collaborations with member National Kennel Clubs among others.

COBA is internationally recognized as the National Kennel Club for Nigeria and the official dog registry for all purebred and non-purebred dogs in Nigeria. Additionally, it licenses dog shows and all forms of dog sports across the country.

Thus, COBA’s FCI certification benefits purebred dog breeders, breed clubs, dog owners, and all involved in the dog industry ecosystem.

According to information on the website of the organization, www.coba.ng and all its social media handles, “being certified by FCI means a kennel is recognized internationally for adhering to breeding practices and has a reputation for breeding dogs that conform to the standards globally accepted and set by FCI. It is essential for both breeders and prospective buyers who seek pedigree dogs.

“It is a certification that will change the playground for dog enthusiasts in Nigeria as they begin to enjoy the benefits of FCI affiliation like their peers in other African countries,” Ewete remarks.

“This certification also ensures easy access to FCI’s Breed Standards. Many people rely on word of mouth when assessing dogs. However, being FCI certified means access to globally accepted standards, helping breeders to align their programmes with internationally accepted guidelines. It also means access to expert resources rather than just opinions.

“It also engenders opportunities to participate in International Dog Shows and adhering to standards. Therefore, it means a breeder can participate in FCI-recognized events worldwide, thus a means to gain recognition as a breeder of high-quality dogs. By participating in such events, dogs can earn titles like International Champions – increasing the prestige and market value of breeding stock or show dogs.

As a member of the FCI, COBA members can more easily network with breeders, judges, trainers, and kennel clubs worldwide. This fosters collaborations and knowledge sharing, strengthening relationships with fellow professionals across the globe. Membership also provides access to educational opportunities, including seminars, workshops, and conferences focused on the advancement of dog breeds.