TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (PROHIBITION) ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ACT, 2015
Act · Transport
Policy date: 2015-01-01
An Act that prohibits human trafficking and establishes the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. It targets traffickers for prosecution and victims for protection and rehabilitation. The Act aims to eradicate trafficking in Nigeria.
TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (PROHIBITION) ENFORCEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION ACT, 2015
What Is This Policy?
Nigeria's principal anti-trafficking legislation that prohibits all forms of human trafficking, establishes the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), and provides for the prosecution of traffickers and protection of victims.
Who Does It Target?
Traffickers, recruiters, transporters, and exploiters of trafficking victims Victims of trafficking requiring protection and rehabilitation NAPTIP and law enforcement agencies International partners in counter-trafficking
What Does It Aim to Achieve?
Eradicate human trafficking in Nigeria, prosecute perpetrators, rehabilitate victims, and coordinate Nigeria's domestic and international anti-trafficking efforts.
Key Features
Comprehensive Prohibition: Bans all forms of trafficking including labour exploitation, sexual exploitation, child trafficking, and organ trafficking. NAPTIP: Establishes NAPTIP as the lead anti-trafficking agency with powers of investigation, prosecution, and victim rehabilitation. Victim Protection: Provides legal protections, witness protection, and rehabilitative services for trafficking survivors. Severe Penalties: Prescribes imprisonment of up to life for trafficking offences involving children or egregious exploitation.
Current Status
Rollout Stage: Active - NAPTIP is operational nationwide Coverage: Nationwide; with international cooperation provisions Beneficiaries: Trafficking victims; vulnerable communities at risk of trafficking Funding: Federal Government appropriations; international donor support
How to Access
Victims: report to NAPTIP for assistance, shelter, and rehabilitation Tip-offs may be submitted anonymously to NAPTIP NGOs working with trafficking victims must partner with NAPTIP Application method: Contact NAPTIP at its nearest office or call the anti-trafficking hotline.
Important Terms
Consent of the victim is irrelevant where trafficking methods (force, fraud, coercion) are used Repatriation support available for Nigerians trafficked abroad Conviction records are permanent
Impact & Metrics
Thousands of trafficking victims rescued, sheltered, and reintegrated; hundreds of traffickers convicted since NAPTIP was established.
Official Resources
Website: https://www.naptip.gov.ng Contact: National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP)
Legal Framework
Enacted under the legislative powers of the National Assembly vested by Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Section 34 on dignity of the human person. The NAPTIP Act 2003 (as amended in 2015) is the principal statute. Operates alongside the Child Rights Act 2003, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015, the Immigration Act 2015, and Nigeria's obligations under the UN Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Palermo Protocol), the AU Ouagadougou Action Plan, and the ECOWAS Plan of Action Against Trafficking in Persons.