By Weekenders Magazine
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) by pledging full support and active participation in the maiden edition of the Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026.
The assurance was given by the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, when she received the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, and her delegation during a courtesy visit to the Agency’s headquarters in Abuja.
The visit was aimed at formally inviting NAPTIP to partner with NAWOJ for the summit, scheduled to hold on August 5, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, Bello expressed delight at reconnecting with NAWOJ, describing the Association as a dependable ally in the fight against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation. She assured the delegation that NAPTIP remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote national security, public awareness and the protection of vulnerable persons.
“I want to assure you that my doors are always open to NAWOJ. We are going to work together, and whatever support we can provide, we will do so,” the Director-General said.
She immediately directed relevant departments within the Agency to begin working closely with NAWOJ to ensure effective planning for the summit, stressing that NAPTIP would play an active role in making the event a success.
Beyond the summit, Bello advocated for a long-term partnership between both organisations, noting that the media remains one of the strongest tools in combating human trafficking through investigative reporting, advocacy and sustained public enlightenment.
She revealed that human trafficking continues to pose serious security challenges in Nigeria and across West Africa, with women and girls remaining the most vulnerable. According to her, NAPTIP receives distress reports daily, while emerging trafficking routes now extend to countries including Mali, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, alongside widespread internal trafficking.
The Director-General called on NAWOJ members nationwide to intensify public education campaigns, expose trafficking syndicates and amplify awareness messages aimed at protecting women, children and other vulnerable groups.
To deepen collaboration, Bello directed NAPTIP’s Public Enlightenment Department and Public Relations Unit to develop a sustained framework of engagement with NAWOJ, including partnerships with the Association’s state chapters to strengthen grassroots awareness against trafficking in persons.
Earlier, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, commended NAPTIP’s renewed commitment to tackling human trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse and gender-based violence under Bello’s leadership.
She described the forthcoming WINSEC Summit as a strategic national platform that will convene security chiefs, policymakers, development partners, civil society organisations, diplomats, traditional rulers and media professionals to promote inclusive leadership and practical solutions to Nigeria’s security challenges.
Ibrahim appealed to NAPTIP to actively participate in the summit by sharing its wealth of experience in combating human trafficking while supporting advocacy efforts aimed at protecting women, children and survivors of exploitation.
She also reaffirmed NAWOJ’s readiness to sustain a productive partnership with NAPTIP through media capacity-building, public awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives that promote safe migration and strengthen the fight against trafficking in persons.
The meeting ended with both organisations expressing confidence that their renewed collaboration would significantly boost public awareness, strengthen prevention strategies and reinforce national efforts to eradicate human trafficking and other forms of exploitation.
The partnership is expected to add significant value to the maiden Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026, further positioning the event as a major platform for advancing dialogue, collaboration and action on issues of national security and the protection of vulnerable populations.