By By Elizabeth Ugbo
The Director General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Adamu Bello, joined diplomats and development partners at the Annual Steering Committee meeting of the Common Operational Partnership (COPs). The meeting reviewed the project’s first-year achievements in Nigeria. The France- and Italy-funded initiative aims to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to dismantle human trafficking and migrant smuggling networks through operational mentoring, intelligence sharing and institutional collaboration.
EU Ambassador Commends Project’s Progress
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, praised NAPTIP and the COPs implementation team for the project’s successful first year.
He said the initiative had recorded meaningful results in strengthening Nigeria’s response to human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
Mignot also called for greater visibility for the project. According to him, stronger public awareness will support intelligence-led operations and help disrupt organised criminal networks operating within and outside Nigeria.
NAPTIP Highlights Institutional Reforms
Speaking at the meeting, NAPTIP Director General Binta Adamu Bello said the project had shifted from classroom-based training to practical operational mentoring.
She described the approach as the right direction for sustainable capacity development.
According to Bello, the project has strengthened institutional systems, operational support and criminal justice coordination across the agency.
She noted that the improvements have enhanced investigations, prosecutions and victim protection.
“The project has moved beyond classroom training to practical operational mentoring, which is exactly the direction capacity development should take,” she said.
She added that stronger investigations produce better prosecutions, while improved coordination delivers greater protection for trafficking victims.
Nigeria Appreciates International Support
Bello expressed appreciation to the European Union and international partners for their continued commitment to Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking efforts.
She thanked the European Union, CIVIPOL, France, Italy, the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIAP) and other implementing partners for providing technical and financial support.
According to her, the collaboration continues to strengthen NAPTIP’s institutional capacity and improve operational outcomes.
Stakeholders Renew Commitment
The meeting brought together major stakeholders working to combat human trafficking.
Participants included representatives from the Italian Embassy, the French Embassy, the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), CIVIPOL and other development partners.
The stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation, improving intelligence sharing and supporting Nigeria’s efforts to dismantle trafficking and smuggling networks.
