The government increased efforts to prevent human trafficking. NAPTIP continued to lead the federal government’s efforts to combat trafficking, although officials from the ministries of defense, justice, foreign affairs, labor and productivity, and women affairs and social development all had responsibilities in supporting the country’s response to human trafficking. The government continued implementing its NAP 2022-2026. NAPTIP inaugurated and trained two new state task forces and conducted coordination meetings with the 21 existing state task forces. The government ran a national trafficking-specific hotline; while the hotline received calls, the government did not report how many calls were received, the number of potential victims identified, or if any calls led to trafficking investigations. In addition, NGO members of NACTAL took reports of trafficking, but no statistics were available. Inadequate information management technology – including basic infrastructure such as computers and internet services, especially in zonal commands outside Abuja – hindered data collection, dissemination, and research.
NAPTIP conducted awareness raising campaigns in multiple states in addition to continuing its awareness raising campaigns in schools and religious organizations. NAPTIP also continued a monthly social media program to discuss trafficking topics with targeted audiences, produced an anti-trafficking television program, and held awareness raising activities in coordination with NGOs. Awareness campaigns were conducted in all three major Nigerian languages and used print, electronic, and social media. Some policy documents were available in braille. The government had all campaign materials reviewed by trafficking experts, including survivors.
The Ministry of Labor and Employment conducted 17,026 labor inspections and found 2,274 violations of child labor laws and removed 475 children from potential trafficking conditions, this compared with removing 1,193 children from potential trafficking conditions during the previous reporting period. Of the children removed from potential trafficking conditions, the government referred 109 to social services but did not specify whether children actually received the services. The government trained labor inspectors on child trafficking. The government regulated private employment agencies and had a licensing requirement for labor recruiters; the government did not report revoking any licenses for exploitative recruitment practices. The government launched an online registration portal for labor and sports recruiters, among others, which issued clearances and licenses to operate. The government prohibited worker-paid recruitment fees. The government did not report efforts to reduce the demand for commercial sex. The government provided anti-trafficking training to its troops prior to their deployment as peacekeepers. The government increased law enforcement efforts, although corruption and complicity continued to contribute to impunity for trafficking crimes.
from 2023 Trafficking in Persons Report – U.S. Department of State
2023 Trafficking in Persons Report – United States Department of State
