The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has reaffirmed its dedication to the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria, announcing strategic initiatives to strengthen its efforts. This renewed commitment was underscored by NAPTIP's Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, during a recent meeting with European Union (EU) Member States’ Immigration Liaison Officers in Abuja.
Bello emphasized that NAPTIP is committed to doing even more to combat human trafficking, a move aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current Nigerian administration. The agency’s strategic priorities will focus on several key areas:
These efforts aim to address the complexities of human trafficking, which continues to pose a serious threat to vulnerable populations, particularly women and children.
The meeting with EU Immigration Liaison Officers was an important step in deepening the partnership between NAPTIP and the EU. EU Ambassador-Designate Gautier Mignot praised NAPTIP’s progress and emphasized that combating human trafficking is a global priority. He called for continued collaboration among stakeholders, stating, The fight against human trafficking requires cooperation and support from all stakeholders.
Bello also highlighted NAPTIP’s ongoing partnership with the EU, which has been instrumental in supporting the agency’s rescue missions, capacity-building programs, and prevention activities.
In her address, Bello outlined some of the agency’s achievements, including the successful rescue and rehabilitation of trafficking victims, capacity-building for officers, and collaborations with civil society organizations. She also noted that NAPTIP has made strides in working with neighboring countries to tackle cross-border trafficking.
However, Bello acknowledged that challenges remain. She cited the need for better research and data analysis, improved cooperation with neighboring countries, and increased funding to enhance the agency's capacity to investigate and prosecute traffickers. She called for more robust support from the EU and other international partners, stressing, We need each other to get the job done.
As the fight against human trafficking intensifies, NAPTIP’s renewed commitment marks a significant step forward. The agency’s efforts, bolstered by the support of the EU and other international bodies, position Nigeria to make meaningful progress in protecting vulnerable individuals and holding traffickers accountable.
Bello’s message was clear: The fight against human trafficking is a collective responsibility. We must work together to eradicate this scourge.
Established in 2003, NAPTIP has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking, with a special focus on protecting women and children. As the agency pushes forward with its renewed strategy, the collaboration between NAPTIP and the EU provides a crucial foundation for advancing the global fight against human trafficking.
Through these coordinated efforts, there is hope that human trafficking in Nigeria—and across the world—can be significantly reduced, if not eradicated.