The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Hajiya Binta Bello, has called on secondary school principals in Ogun State to join hands with the agency in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Bello, who described human trafficking as the second most lucrative transnational organised crime globally—second only to drug trafficking—said the illicit trade generates an estimated $150 billion annually. She noted that Ogun State remains one of the hotspots for trafficking in the country and urged school administrators to prioritise efforts to combat the scourge.

Represented by NAPTIP’s Director of Research and Programme Development, Mr. Josiah Emerole, the DG made the call at a two-day training workshop held in Abeokuta for 50 selected principals who also serve as Coordinators of Anti-Trafficking Vanguard Clubs in their respective schools. The event was organised in partnership with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD).

Bello explained that the training was designed to deepen the participants’ understanding of the dynamics of human trafficking and equip them to be proactive in identifying and addressing the problem in their schools.

“Many still underestimate the danger of human trafficking, but it is a devastating crime that has claimed countless lives and shattered many others,” she said. “It is a transnational organised crime ranked just below drug trafficking, and tragically, school-aged children make up a large number of its victims.

“Some of these victims are likely in your schools already. You may not be aware now, but this training will enable you to recognise the signs and offer the necessary support.

“Our purpose here is to equip you with the knowledge you need to coordinate Anti-Trafficking Vanguard Clubs, educate your staff, and raise awareness in your communities that human trafficking is a serious crime that must be confronted collectively.

“Ogun State is particularly affected. We deal with both internal trafficking—within the country—and external trafficking to destinations abroad. Children are often trafficked from rural areas to cities, sometimes to work in quarries across Ogun State under hazardous conditions. Many of these children are victims of trafficking.”

Bello added that collaboration with school principals would be instrumental in curbing trafficking at the grassroots level, noting that early intervention is key. “By educating students from a young age, we empower them to detect traffickers and protect themselves and others.”

Speaking at the event, Rhoda Dia-Johnson, Project Manager of the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) under the ICMPD, lamented the rising number of school children who fall prey to traffickers, as reflected in frequent tragic headlines.

She said STEAP, which is funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, aims to empower students to become informed and proactive in fighting trafficking.

“As principals and anti-trafficking coordinators, you are not only educators but also front-line defenders of children’s rights,” she said. “Your schools must be safe spaces where exploitation is identified early, trust is nurtured, and victims feel empowered to speak out.”

Also speaking, Ogun State Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu, reiterated the state government’s commitment to global anti-trafficking efforts. Represented by the Director of Education Support Services, Akinola Okereafor, Arigbabu said the state has begun integrating Safe School Child Protection Policies and Psychosocial Support Frameworks into its education system.

He stressed that schools are not just centres of academic learning but also incubators of values, resilience, and identity—and must serve as the first line of defence in protecting children.

He urged school administrators to remain vigilant for signs of abuse or behavioural changes that may indicate a child is at risk.