Human trafficking, like migration, is a highly complex issue. It requires not only the resources but also the right data to address its underlying root causes and impact. Understanding human trafficking better involves taking stock of the community’s attitudes, perceptions, and perspectives – particularly those who are directly affected, including children.
To trace the drivers of and common attitudes around human trafficking in Nigeria, ICMPD’s School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) is enhancing awareness and strengthening the capacities of local governments, schools, and civil society across five of Nigeria’s states: Benue, Delta, Edo, Enugu, and Ogun. The project supports educators, community leaders, and law enforcement to identify, prevent, and respond to human trafficking – particularly of children.
Combatting human trafficking needs an all-of-community approach, including legislation, law enforcement, international collaboration, and victim support services. Engaging students in activities that raise their awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, builds their resilience, and reduces their vulnerability to being trafficked.says Sedef Dearing, ICMPD director of Migration Cooperation Dialogues
Trafficking as an issue, in the eyes of children
The first step is to better gauge children’s understanding of the complexities and their own (mis-) perceptions of human trafficking. The project ran a study across the five states, interviewing a total of 514 students, which shows there is currently a high rate of awareness among them on the topic:
- 3 in 5 children know how perpetrators operate in recruiting and trafficking their victims; including the modes such as fake apprenticeships and promises of economic benefits.
- At least 1 in 3 students in each of the five states reported they were aware of other students being taken away for work to repay a loan.
- 8 in 10 children also learned in schools about the broader issue of human trafficking; and many are aware of the abusive treatment young victims experience in the hands of traffickers, including harsh conditions in cramped spaces.
- Almost half of them believe that girls are trafficked more by their parents and caregivers, who are mostly exploited in prostitution; while boys/young men are trafficked for manual labour.
Another worrisome finding of the study is that some adolescent girls are paid by “agents” to get them pregnant and later, sell the offsprings; or that (young) mothers did exchange their children for money.
- 6 in 100 children on average think that their trafficked peers were “better off on their return after many years of exploitation, because they have some resources more than the others.” A few of them also believe that trafficked children are cared for wherever they go, not exposed to dangers or crime, or are not exploited nor denied education.
- More than 1 in 3 reported their parents borrow money from ”agents” in exchange for child labour;
- More than half of students in Enugu know someone in their communities was helping young people to travel outside the state; including being sent to relatives to work (a common method of trafficking children into domestic work or other forms of exploitation).
A stronger, multi-layer approach is needed
As way-forward, along with insights from the study, ongoing parallel initiatives of the STEAP have led to broader and institutional-level efforts in human trafficking in Nigeria. The project targets not only students but the entire school community including teachers, parents and caregivers, and local civil society.
At the government level, ICMPD has been working since 2019 with the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education, to include concepts of human trafficking in teacher education standards. At least 500 teacher-trainers across six geo-political zones have received training for the roll-out of this curriculum; and a series of training of trainers (ToT) is continuously implemented.
Both ICMPD’s technical and operational support to NAPTIP, along with partners, has achieved:
- Passage of the National Policy on Protection and Assistance to Trafficked Persons (2022); the Guidelines on National Referral Mechanism on Protection and Assistance to Trafficked Person (2015); the Guidelines on Minimum Standard for Service Providers Rendering Services to Trafficked Persons; and the NAPTIP Disability Inclusion Policy;
- Investigated 12,985 cases since the inception of NAPTIP, which led to the conviction of 686 human traffickers and of 27 perpetrators of violence. Over 200 cases are pending in courts;
- 14 shelters have been established for the rehabilitation of 23,897 victims/survivors;
- Capacity development of survivors with vocational skills and education
STEAP has recommended immediate focus to increase awareness efforts around human trafficking; promoting an all-of-community approach to address human trafficking in schools that is supported by the local government; and upskilling teachers and civil society workers as a priority. This includes integrating preventive measures in the Nigerian school system, including the setting up of school clubs in high-risk areas, and more partnerships to ensure wider, effective reach.
STEAP activities will also create a supportive environment for children at-risk, provide specialised support for victims, and sensitise the community on the dangers and signs of human trafficking – especially among parents. Apart from children and students, the study included interviews with 154 teachers and school heads, 10 CSO representatives, 20 local government officials, and 100 parents.
Nigeria serves as a country of origin, a transit route and destination for human trafficking victims. Trafficked Nigerians end up in West African countries, North Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, facing challenges such as forced labour and sexual exploitation. Thus, despite substantial progress, sustained domestic efforts and increased international cooperation are imperative to address the persistent nature of human trafficking, and especially of child trafficking.Ms Dearing adds
By incorporating the 'whole of school community' approach, STEAP aspires to create a long-lasting and impactful resistance against human trafficking, aiming for a shift that addresses both its symptoms and root causes. This also means using the lived experience of a whole community, including the insights of children themselves.