Combating Human Trafficking in Delta State: International Centre for Migration Policy Development Launches Pilot Project

Concerned by the rising cases of human trafficking in Delta State, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) has launched a pilot project to combat human trafficking in the state. The project, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), aims to take a holistic approach, targeting not only students but also the entire school community, including teachers, parents, and local civil society organisations.

The project, which has selected 50 schools in Delta State for the pilot phase, will train classroom teachers and school heads in both primary and secondary schools. According to Dr Mojisola Sodeinde, the Head of the West Africa Region of the ICMPD, the project’s goal is to embed a robust educational framework within schools, informing and protecting students and empowering them to be vigilant guardians of their futures.

Human trafficking has long cast a shadow over Delta communities, particularly affecting the most vulnerable, including children. Sodeinde emphasized that "your understanding of this subject and its dynamics is crucial as a critical stakeholder in the education sector." The ICMPD, an inter-governmental organisation headquartered in Vienna, Austria, promotes innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable migration policies to harmonise and make migration management more efficient.

The Director General of NAPTIP, Mr Binta Bello, highlighted the importance of the sensitisation campaign against human trafficking to the agency. He stated that "the fight against human trafficking is not the sole responsibility of the federal, state, and local governments; it is a collective effort because all our communities are vulnerable."

The Netherlands Embassy in Abuja commended Mojisola Sodeinde for organising the sensitisation and awareness workshop for stakeholders in the education sector on trafficking in persons. The Netherlands has a Migration Partnership with Nigeria, prioritising the prevention of and fight against human trafficking. Children, in particular, are vulnerable to trafficking, accounting for over 75 per cent of the victims identified in West Africa.

The project aims to prevent children from becoming victims and help those affected reintegrate into the school system. With over 75 per cent of trafficking victims in West Africa being minors, the urgency of STEAP’s mission is clear. The project’s success will depend on the collective effort of all stakeholders, including government officials, civil society organisations, and the community.

As the project moves forward, it is crucial to remember that the essence of the work is to safeguard the future, where every child can pursue education without fear, and every community can thrive free from the chains of exploitation.