The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have pledged to work together to tackle human trafficking and displacement caused by climate change.
NiMet’s Director General, Prof. Charles Anosike, announced this during a visit to NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, at the agency’s headquarters in Abuja. The visit aimed to foster a partnership that would help mitigate the effects of climate-related disasters on vulnerable populations.
Anosike emphasized the urgent need for collaboration, saying, “It is important to have a leader who understands the impact of climate change. Climate change is affecting all aspects of our lives, leading to extreme weather events that displace people and push them into poverty, making them vulnerable to trafficking. There is a clear connection between climate change and human trafficking.”
He further stressed the importance of early warning systems, noting, “We need to invest in preparedness to ensure that vulnerable populations, including women, children, and the elderly, are protected. Strengthening our partnership with NAPTIP will enable us to advise policymakers effectively on these issues.”
Anosike also warned that the flooding currently affecting the Northeast is expected to spread to the Southwest and Southeast, urging all levels of government to respond promptly to minimize the impact of extreme weather events.
In her response, NAPTIP’s Director General, Binta Adamu Bello, expressed her commitment to eradicating human trafficking in Nigeria, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s goal.
“I am deeply concerned about the growing issue of human trafficking, which has become a national crisis, with victims from every state in the country,” Bello stated. “We must strengthen our collaboration and advocacy efforts across the nation to reduce the vulnerability of those at risk.”
Both agencies reaffirmed their commitment to working together to address the interconnected challenges of climate change and human trafficking in Nigeria.
