Nigeria’s House of Representatives has called for stronger regional and international action to combat the growing human trafficking crisis across West Africa, warning that thousands of vulnerable Nigerians especially women, children and young people continue to fall victim to exploitation.
Speaking at a high-level stakeholders’ technical meeting in Abuja, the Chairperson of the House Committee on Humanitarian Services, Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, said the fight against human trafficking must extend beyond rescuing victims. She stressed that survivors need long-term rehabilitation, education, healthcare, vocational training, legal assistance and economic opportunities to help them rebuild their lives and prevent them from being trafficked again.
Akande-Sadipe described human trafficking as a serious violation of human rights and human dignity, noting that many victims are subjected to forced labour, sexual exploitation and abuse before becoming stranded in foreign countries without legal protection or access to basic services.
She said recent diplomatic efforts by the Nigerian government, including the evacuation of vulnerable citizens from abroad and cooperation agreements with other African countries, demonstrate the importance of coordinated action among governments, humanitarian agencies and international partners.
The lawmaker also reaffirmed the National Assembly’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s anti-trafficking framework through improved legislation, better institutional coordination and increased funding for agencies responsible for protecting vulnerable citizens.
At the meeting, the National Council of Child Rights Advocates, Nigeria (NACCRAN), presented findings from an 11-month investigation into the trafficking of Nigerian girls in Mali and other West African countries.
The organisation’s Operations Consultant on Diaspora Issues, Prince Adefioye Gbolagade Simeon, alleged that weaknesses in the repatriation process and poor documentation had exposed rescued victims to further hardship. He also raised concerns over alleged misconduct involving some officials at the Nigerian Embassy in Mali and other individuals connected to rescue operations.
According to NACCRAN, several rescued girls reported suffering physical and emotional abuse after refusing prostitution, while others experienced delays in returning home despite funds reportedly being collected for their repatriation.
Simeon said the organisation had submitted petitions to several Nigerian government institutions seeking investigations into the allegations. He, however, praised the intervention of the House Committee on Humanitarian Services, noting that its engagement helped facilitate the rescue and repatriation of more than 10 underage Nigerian girls between September and December 2025. Many of the victims were later handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) before being reunited with their families.
He urged the Federal Government to strengthen cooperation among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, NAPTIP, security agencies and civil society groups while introducing stronger policies to protect Nigerian women and girls from trafficking across West Africa.
The meeting brought together lawmakers, government officials, diplomats, development partners, humanitarian organisations and security agencies to develop practical strategies aimed at preventing human trafficking, improving victim protection and strengthening regional cooperation against organised trafficking networks.
