NAPTIP and ICMPD educate 40,000 pupils in Ogun on how to combat modern-day slavery

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development and Ogun State NAPTIP command have embarked on a massive sensitization campaign, educating over 40,000 students across 32 selected secondary schools about the perils of human trafficking under the Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project.

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In a related development, 30 students from each of the 32 schools have been inducted into the Anti-Trafficking and Violence Against Persons Vanguard Club, receiving T-shirts, school bags, and educational materials, courtesy of the government of Netherlands-funded project.

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This initiative is in line with the renewed commitment of NAPTIP Director General, Binta Bello, to intensify public awareness and crack down on human trafficking, with Ogun State NAPTIP Commander, Bose Jimoh, stating that prevention is a key strategy in tackling the menace.

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Jimoh warned students to be cautious of traffickers who lure victims with fake job offers, promises of better life abroad, and other deceptive tactics, exploiting them for commercial sexual exploitation, organ harvesting, debt bondage, child labour, and sextortion via social media platforms.

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The inauguration of the Vanguard Club at Igbusi Comprehensive High School marks the third phase, bringing the total number of inaugurated clubs to 32, with nearly 1,000 student members serving as peer educators against human trafficking, and over 40,000 learners sensitized on the dangers of human trafficking.

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According to Jimoh, each school has 30 Vanguard members, totaling nearly 1,000 students across the 32 schools, who will educate their peers on the dangers of human trafficking and other forms of violence, creating a safe learning environment.

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The STEAP Project Officer, Mr Samuel Okoroji, explained that the project targets 50 selected schools in Ogun State, also being implemented in Edo, Benue, Enugu, and Delta States, with the first phase covering 10 schools and reaching 21,000 learners from March to May 2025.

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The second phase, which took place in February 2026, covered 11 schools, reaching over 13,000 learners, while the current third phase is covering 11 additional schools, with seven in Yewa and four in Ijebu, reaching over 5,000 learners so far.

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Okoroji added that the project extends beyond student sensitization to strengthen the education system through teacher capacity building and infrastructure development, including the training of 150 teachers in May on how to effectively teach anti-human trafficking content.

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The project has also integrated human trafficking education into the national curriculum in partnership with the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council.

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Participating schools under the School Improvement Project are benefiting from infrastructure interventions, including classroom renovations, boreholes, toilets, laboratory and library upgrades, as well as furniture provision, with Igbusi Comprehensive High School receiving a renovated classroom block with 18 windows and six doors replaced.

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Okoroji emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration among development partners, government agencies, schools, civil society organizations, and communities in the fight against human trafficking, stating that everyone must play a role to combat the menace.

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The Principal of Igbusi Comprehensive High School, Mrs Serah Taiwo, commended the intervention, saying it has positively impacted the school through infrastructure upgrades and sustained awareness campaigns, with the school committing to organize awareness programs for students to take the message home to their families.

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Mr Adeola Folorunso, a member of the Ogun State Task Force on Human Trafficking, hailed the collaborative efforts of NAPTIP, ICMPD, and the state government, saying that joining forces would go a long way in reducing the challenge of human trafficking in the state.