The Nigerian Government has urged Women Affairs Commissioners across the country to champion policies and secure funding to combat human trafficking, calling for collective action and continued support from international partners.
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On Wednesday, in Abuja, the Nigerian Government called on Commissioners for Women Affairs across the country to use their platforms to promote policies aimed at tackling human trafficking. This plea was made by Mr. Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, during the 27th National Stakeholders Consultative Forum (NSCF) on human trafficking in Nigeria.
Mr. Fagbemi urged the commissioners to advocate for dedicated budgets and programmes that could either directly or indirectly address trafficking and exploitation. He also proposed creating a specific budget line for state-level task forces on human trafficking to institutionalise their activities within each state.
The Attorney General reiterated the commitment of the Federal Ministry of Justice to support the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) through continuous policy development, legal reforms, and high-level advocacy. He stated, “Let me assure you that we will continue to work closely with NAPTIP and other partners to ensure that the legal and institutional frameworks for tackling trafficking remain dynamic, responsive, and effective. The fight against human trafficking is not just about statistics or targets it is about human dignity, freedom, justice, and national integrity.”
Mr. Cheikh Toure, the Country Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), also emphasised the need for a united response in the national fight against trafficking. He described the forum as a critical part of Nigeria’s coordinated effort and a platform for fostering a shared vision among federal and state stakeholders. “Policy means nothing without turning it into action,” Toure said, stressing the importance of cooperation between public, private, and international actors to achieve meaningful results.
Switzerland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Patrick Egloff, recognised the cross-border nature of human trafficking, highlighting its connection to exploitation and threats to national security. He reiterated Switzerland’s ongoing support for Nigeria under the “From Policy to Action” project, which strengthens the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking for 2022–2026. “Let us continue to turn policy into action and commitment into protection for every vulnerable person across Nigeria,” Egloff said.
Earlier in the event, NAPTIP’s Director-General, Hajia Binta Adamu-Bello, expressed her gratitude to stakeholders for their ongoing support since her appointment in September 2024. She credited collaborative efforts for notable progress, including support from the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) and the House of Representatives. Adamu-Bello reaffirmed NAPTIP’s commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, transparency, and integrity, calling for sustained collective action. “As a society, we have a choice: to fight together or to become enablers through our silence,” she added.