Chairman of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI) and Convener/Founder of the Africa Blue Economy Roundtable (ABER), Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo, has celebrated Professor Edem Archibong Eniang for representing Nigeria at the inaugural World Congress on Snakes (WCS 2026) in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
Key Highlights
- Prof. Edem Archibong Eniang is representing Nigeria at the inaugural World Congress on Snakes in Sri Lanka.
- The World Congress on Snakes 2026 is being held in Kandy from October 1–4, 2026.
- The international congress focuses on snake biology, conservation, research and snakebite management.
- More than 400 experts and delegates from around the world are attending the landmark gathering, according to current reports.
- Dr. Piriye Kiyaramo described Prof. Eniang as a leading Nigerian conservationist with more than three decades of experience in wildlife and herpetology.
In a birthday message to Prof. Eniang, who is Executive Director of the Biodiversity Preservation Centre (BPC) and a Professor of Wildlife Resources Management at the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Kiyaramo described him as a prominent Nigerian conservationist whose work spans herpetology, primate conservation and the protection of endangered species.
Prof. Eniang, who was born on October 1, 1969, is participating in the historic World Congress on Snakes 2026, the first international conference dedicated exclusively to snake research, conservation and related public-health concerns. The congress is taking place at the Grand Kandyan Hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka.
World Congress on Snakes Brings Global Experts to Sri Lanka
The inaugural World Congress on Snakes has brought together researchers, conservationists, medical experts and other specialists from different parts of the world to discuss issues affecting snake species and human communities.
The official congress programme covers areas including snake ecology, evolution, phylogeny, behaviour, conservation, illegal wildlife trade and snakebite management. Workshops, plenary sessions, symposia and field activities are also part of the programme.
Current reporting indicates that more than 400 international and local experts are participating in the congress, with delegates from dozens of countries. The event is being held under the theme “Snakes, Science, Species Survival & Sri Lanka.”
Sri Lanka was selected as host because of its exceptional snake biodiversity. The country is home to 112 recorded snake species, with a significant proportion endemic to the island.
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Prof. Eniang’s Role Draws Praise
Kiyaramo said Prof. Eniang’s participation at the global scientific gathering was a source of pride for BTPDI, Akwa Ibom State, the Niger Delta and Nigeria.
He also highlighted the importance of African expertise in addressing biodiversity conservation challenges and the global burden of snakebite, particularly through scientific research, conservation strategies and improved understanding of human-snake interactions.
Prof. Eniang is also a Board Member of the BRACED Tourism Promotion and Development Initiative (BTPDI) and is recognised for his work in wildlife resources management and conservation.
Focus on Snakebite and Conservation
A major focus of the World Congress on Snakes is the relationship between snake conservation and public health.
The scientific programme includes discussions on snakebite management, venom and toxicology, conservation strategies, human-snake coexistence and other issues affecting both snake populations and communities.
The organisers say the congress provides an international platform for scientists and conservation practitioners to exchange knowledge and develop collaborative approaches to snake research, conservation and human-wildlife coexistence.
Kiyaramo congratulated Prof. Eniang on his birthday and wished him a successful and impactful participation in the World Congress on Snakes 2026 in Sri Lanka.
He said the occasion represents not only a personal milestone for the Nigerian conservationist but also an opportunity to showcase African expertise on the global scientific stage. For more updates, follow us on X.
