Nigeria has long struggled with human trafficking, prompting the establishment of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in 2003 to coordinate national efforts against the scourge. Despite these efforts, trafficking remains a persistent challenge, with an estimated 750,000 to 1 million Nigerians trafficked annually.

In response, the government has recently strengthened international cooperation. Nigeria signed a Common Operational Partnership (COP) with France and Italy, co-funded by the European Union (€1.43 million), aimed at enhancing NAPTIP’s capacity to dismantle trafficking networks, protect victims, and promote regional collaboration. The project will run until June 2027.

EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, highlighted that the initiative includes practical measures such as needs assessments, tailored training, equipment provision, and mentoring to ensure sustainable results. French Ambassador Marc Fonbaustier stressed that trafficking is a global threat requiring collective action, pointing to well-organised criminal networks that exploit poverty and instability.

NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, represented by Josiah Emerole, explained that the COP project focuses on four pillars: joint needs assessment, training and mentoring, operational support, and geographic focus. Pilot implementation will begin in Cross River, Osun, Katsina, and the FCT, which are major trafficking corridors. The project aims to improve investigations, prosecutions, victim support, and intelligence sharing.

The initiative also addresses the maltreatment of Nigerians in Libya, Niger, Chad, and Sudan, where trafficked citizens have sought government intervention. NCFRMI Commissioner Tijjani Aliyu Ahmed stressed the need for accurate data on irregular migration to improve governance and repatriation efforts.

Migration experts have praised the partnership. Osita Osemene, a lead trainer for the reintegration program for returnees, described the collaboration with France and Italy as a “masterstroke,” noting that returnees could be reintegrated and trained as advocates against trafficking. Tayo Adenuga, another expert, emphasized that many Nigerians are deceived into irregular migration by traffickers promising success abroad, and robust awareness campaigns backed by international funding will help curb the trend.

Experts agree that coordinated international action, combined with community-level reintegration and awareness programs, offers the best chance for Nigeria to curb human trafficking and protect vulnerable citizens.