The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, has called for strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders in the fight against human trafficking, describing it as a highly organized, profit-driven, and transnational criminal enterprise that can no longer be tackled in isolation.
Fagbemi made this known on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the 2025 World Day Against Trafficking in Persons commemoration and the 28th National Stakeholders’ Consultative Forum on Human Trafficking. He was represented by Victoria Ojogbane, Director of Research and Project Development at the Ministry of Justice.
“Human trafficking is no longer a crime that can be addressed in isolation, nor can it be tackled by one agency or sector alone. It requires a united front, reinforced partnerships, and multi-sectoral collaboration,” the Minister said.
Fagbemi emphasized that the crime, often concealed under seemingly legitimate structures, is primarily driven by economic exploitation and poses a significant threat to Nigeria’s national security. Quoting a 2023 ILO report, he said human trafficking generates over $245 billion annually, with $169.9 billion from sexual exploitation and $75.9 billion from forced labour.
He commended the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) for rescuing 25,642 victims and securing 750 convictions since its inception. He also urged stakeholders to begin strategic planning for the next National Action Plan on Human Trafficking, which will commence after the current plan ends in 2026.
NAPTIP Director General, Hajiya Binta Adamu, highlighted emerging trafficking trends such as loan-for-sex schemes, fake job offers, scholarship scams, and the use of digital platforms to deceive and exploit victims. She also warned of increased recruitment into cybercrime operations and the persistent menace of “baby factories.”
Adamu called for accelerated implementation of the Protocol for Identification, Safe Return, and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Persons and appealed for bilateral and multilateral agreements with destination countries to facilitate the process.
UNODC Country Representative, Mr. Cheikh Toure, pledged continued support to Nigeria, stressing that prevention must begin at the grassroots. He called for increased funding for local government task forces and traditional institutions, noting that “investing in the grassroots is investing in our first line of defence.”
Toure also emphasized the importance of financial investigations to dismantle trafficking syndicates, urged the development of a centralized national anti-trafficking database, and demanded an end to the corruption that enables impunity.
“Our fight against trafficking must be data-driven, coordinated, and relentless. Impunity is the trafficker’s oxygen — we must cut it off,” he said.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously echoed the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to combat the complex and evolving threat of human trafficking.
