PCI Participates in the Validation of Nigeria's National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (TIPVAP) 2025–2027

Date: 29 June – 2 July 2026

Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI) participated in the Validation Workshop on the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (TIPVAP) 2025–2027, organized by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) with support from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) through the FMM West Africa II Demand Driven Facility (DDF) Project, implemented by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

The four-day workshop brought together representatives of federal and state government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, law enforcement agencies, and other key stakeholders to review and validate Nigeria's draft National Strategy aimed at strengthening the country's response to trafficking in persons and violence against persons.

A Strategic Framework for National Action

The National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (TIPVAP) 2025–2027 provides Nigeria with a comprehensive roadmap for preventing trafficking and violence, protecting and rehabilitating survivors, prosecuting offenders, strengthening policy implementation, and promoting effective collaboration among stakeholders.

The strategy also addresses a critical policy gap by providing a coordinated national framework for implementing the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, while aligning Nigeria's efforts with the ECOWAS Regional TIP+ Strategy.

Keynote Address by the Director-General of NAPTIP

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Adamu Bello, OON, participated throughout the validation workshop and delivered the keynote address.

She emphasized the importance of producing a strategy that is robust, inclusive, practical, and reflective of the realities across all states of the federation. She encouraged participants to contribute actively to ensure that the final document effectively addresses all dimensions of trafficking in persons and violence against persons.

The Five Strategic Pillars

The validated strategy is built around five interconnected pillars designed to strengthen Nigeria's response:

1. Policy Development

• Development and review of policies supporting TIPVAP implementation.

• Harmonization of laws, guidelines, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

• Strengthening institutional and legal frameworks.

2. Prevention

• Nationwide public awareness and behavioural change campaigns.

• Integration of anti-trafficking education into school curricula.

• Establishment of TIPVAP desks at local government level.

• Enhanced labour inspections and mandatory reporting mechanisms across key sectors.

3. Protection

• Improved victim-centered and trauma-informed support services.

• Expansion of shelters and Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs).

• Greater protection for women, children, migrants, internally displaced persons, refugees, and persons with disabilities.

• Strengthened family reunification and reintegration support.

4. Prosecution

• Improved investigation and prosecution of trafficking and violence-related offences.

• Strengthened witness protection systems.

• Promotion of trauma-informed judicial processes.

• Increased use of technology in criminal investigations.

5. Partnerships

• Stronger collaboration among government agencies, civil society organizations, development partners, and regional institutions.

• Improved national data collection and intelligence sharing.

• Expanded cross-border cooperation to combat trafficking networks.

Addressing Implementation Challenges

Participants examined the major challenges that could affect implementation of the strategy, including:

• Inconsistencies in the domestication of the VAPP Act and Child Rights Act across states.

• Overlapping institutional mandates among relevant agencies.

• Limited funding for victim protection, legal aid, shelters, and rehabilitation services.

• Weak coordination and data management systems.

To address these challenges, stakeholders proposed stronger legal harmonization, improved resource mobilization, clearer institutional responsibilities, enhanced inter-agency coordination, and sustainable financing mechanisms.

Interactive Group Sessions and Panel Discussions

Participants worked in thematic groups to review each of the five strategic pillars, providing recommendations to strengthen implementation and monitoring.

A panel discussion featuring representatives from Nigeria's six geopolitical zones focused on sustainability, coordination, financing, monitoring and evaluation, and practical approaches to implementing the strategy nationwide.

Among the most significant risks identified were conflicting state laws, inadequate funding, and the need for greater harmonization of policies and institutional frameworks.

Looking Ahead

By 2027, stakeholders envision measurable progress through:

• Stronger national coordination and data management systems.

• Increased public awareness on trafficking in persons and violence against persons.

• Stronger partnerships across government and civil society.

• Harmonized laws and policies across the federation.

• Improved protection, prosecution, prevention, and policy implementation.

At the conclusion of the workshop, participants formally adopted the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Persons and Violence Against Persons (TIPVAP) 2025–2027. The workshop ended with closing remarks by the Director-General of NAPTIP, who thanked stakeholders for their commitment and reaffirmed the Agency's dedication to leading a coordinated national response to trafficking in persons and violence against persons.

As an organization committed to promoting safe migration, protecting vulnerable populations, and supporting the reintegration of survivors of trafficking, Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI) remains committed to partnering with government agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners in implementing the National TIPVAP Strategy and advancing a Nigeria free from trafficking and all forms of violence against persons.

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