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FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
By: Michael Mike
The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to scaling social investment programmes to provide livelihood support to Nigerians in order to immunized them from being vulnerable to human trafficking.
The plan was disclosed on Monday in Abuja by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi at the Opening of the 26th National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Human Trafficking.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s led government recognizes that addressing poverty and underdevelopment is crucial in preventing human trafficking. Investing in people, especially young people and the disadvantaged, reduces the desperation that drives individuals into exploitation abroad.”
He added that: “The government remains committed to scaling social investment programs to provide livelihood support, deterring potential victims from falling prey to traffickers.
He noted that: “The National Stakeholders Consultative Forum on Human Trafficking, instituted by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), serves as a vital strategic coordination body. It facilitates dialogue and collaboration among relevant stakeholders at both the federal and sub-national levels, enabling the initiation of plans, review of strategies, and sharing of information on different approaches to combating Trafficking in Persons in Nigeria.”
He said: “Human trafficking preys on the most vulnerable members of our society and demands a holistic and concerted response from all sectors. The complexity of counter-human trafficking efforts in Nigeria lies in the intricacies of our social fabric and the trans-national nature of the crime.
“Traffickers exploit the vulnerabilities of people, leveraging poverty, lack of education, and unemployment to ensnare their victims with promises of a better life. The porous nature of our borders and the sophisticated networks of these criminals further compound the challenge of combatting this menace.”
Fagbemi lamented that: “Nigeria, with her rich cultures and peoples, unfortunately serves as a source, transit and destination country for victims of human trafficking. This menace has occasioned great damage to the reputation or profiling of Nigeria in the international community. The statistics paint a grim picture, but behind each number lies the stories of those whose freedom and dignity have been truncated. Yet, amidst these challenges, hope remains, and we must reverse this ugly trend.”
He however said: “We must acknowledge the outstanding efforts of Nigeria in operating a unique counter-trafficking model emulated by other African countries. Nigeria has demonstrated its commitments through not only in high number of convictions but also with the successful rescue and rehabilitation of thousands of victims alongside strategic preventive measures.”
He admitted that the fight against human trafficking cannot be shouldered by a single agency or arm of government, stating that it demands a collective effort involving civil society, the private sector, international organisations, communities, and the people.
He said: “I therefore call upon everyone to join hands in this critical fight. This global threat, therefore, requires a coordinated and meaningful response at all levels. Which is why cooperation, communication and information sharing, with our international partners are also key in determining the pace and effectiveness in the delivery of anti-human trafficking responses.”
The Justice Minister said: “I am aware that the National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria (2022-2026) outlines the roles of all actors. I urge everyone to not only study the document with specific interest in the thematic areas that fall within their respective mandates, but to ensure effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
“Furthermore, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration and the Presidential Priorities as it relates with the mandate of NAPTIP, I implore all stakeholders to work in unison to meet these priorities. On the part of the Federal Ministry of Justice as NAPTIP’s supervising ministry, we will continue to support this critical agency in fulfilling its robust mandate,” he assured.
Earlier, the Director General of NAPTIP, Prof. Prof Fatima Waziri – Azi, in her welcome remarks, said since the last meeting in April 2022, a lot have been achieved in the fight against human trafficking in the country, she stated that:
“We have not merely inched forward; we have surged ahead with resolve. We have witnessed the incredible power of cooperation and the unwavering dedication of countless individuals who have come together to combat the injustice of human trafficking. Due to these collaborative efforts, we had a number of firsts in 2023.”
Waziri-Azi who highlighted the numerous firsts the agency was able to achieve in 2023, also said: “We received and investigated 968 human trafficking complaints. 507 (68.1) internal trafficking complaints and 303 (31.9) external trafficking complaints
“In terms of prosecution, 86 cases were charged to court and 67 convictions were secured.
“We rescued, received and supported 2112 victims (473 Males and 1,639 Females). Females constituted 77.6% of the total victims out of which 43,4% were children.
“Benue State had the highest number of indigenes rescued in 2023 followed by Edo, Ondo, and Akwa Ibom state.
“Rescued and received 47 victims of inward trafficking mostly from west African countries
“We have already secured 14 convictions in 2024 and counting with 243 cases pending before various courts across the country.”
She said the agency has identified emerging trends and patterns in human trafficking for 2023 and already in 2024, “we are seeing incremental cases of trafficking to Vietnam for labor exploitation.”
The DG said: “We remain grateful to the Swiss and Dutch governments through UNODC for making this 2-day event possible. I also thank and acknowledge our other partners; ICMPD, Expertise France, IOM, and OHCRH who will be moderating sessions during these 2 day programme.”
FG Remained Committed to Scaling Up Social Investment Programmes- Fagbemi
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
By: Michael Mike
Nigeria is set to sharpen its policy direction in the global space ecosystem as Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited prepares to host the 2026 Nigerian Satellite Week in Abuja.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, disclosed this in a statement issued by the agency’s Head of Corporate Communications, Stephen Kwande, noting that the event will convene top government officials, regulators, and international stakeholders to shape the future of satellite governance and digital infrastructure.
Egerton-Idehen said the forum is coming at a critical time when countries around the world are strengthening their space capabilities as part of broader national development strategies.
According to her, satellite technology is increasingly linked to economic growth, national security, and digital connectivity, making strategic investments in space infrastructure a priority for many nations.
She explained that the conference is expected to attract high-level participation, including cabinet members, defence authorities, development finance institutions, and technology innovators from across Africa.
The NIGCOMSAT boss also highlighted Nigeria’s growing influence in global space policy, pointing to her emergence as Vice Chair of the Global Satellite Operators Association as a sign of the country’s expanding role in international satellite governance.
She further cited ongoing collaboration between Nigeria and the Kenya Space Agency as part of broader efforts to strengthen partnerships within Africa’s evolving space ecosystem.
Egerton-Idehen described the upcoming satellite week as both a reflection of Nigeria’s 20-year journey in satellite development and a strategic platform to define the country’s next phase in an increasingly competitive global space economy.
Nigeria Positions Itself for Global Space Leadership at Satellite Week 2026
Burundi Presses Nigeria to Resume Crude Oil Supply, Seeks Deeper Economic Partnership
By: Michael Mike
The Ambassador of Burundi to Nigeria, Edward Nduwimana, has urged Nigeria to urgently resume the supply of crude oil to his country, warning that the suspension of the long-standing energy arrangement has continued to impact Burundi’s ability to address its energy deficit.
Nduwimana made the appeal during an interaction with journalists in Abuja, where he also called for the immediate convening of the Permanent Mixed Commission for Cooperation between both countries to revive stalled agreements and unlock new economic partnerships.
Nigeria had supplied Burundi with about 45,000 barrels of crude oil per day under a bilateral arrangement that ran between 2008 and 2014 before the agreement was halted amid reforms in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
The envoy said the arrangement had played a crucial role in stabilising Burundi’s energy supply and supporting economic activities, stressing that its suspension created a significant gap in the country’s energy needs.
“Burundi wishes to express its gratitude to the Nigerian people, through their institutions, for the support provided since 2008 through the supply of crude oil,” he said.
“This support helped mitigate the effects of the energy deficit in my country. We understand that the suspension that occurred in 2014 took place in a particular context, driven by the government’s desire to restructure the sector.”
Despite the interruption, the ambassador expressed confidence that Nigeria would consider restoring the cooperation in the spirit of African solidarity and mutually beneficial partnership.
According to him, discussions are already underway to revive the arrangement as part of broader efforts to deepen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Nduwimana stressed that reconvening the Permanent Mixed Commission for Cooperation in 2026 has become urgent, noting that the last session of the commission was held in Bujumbura in 2021.
He explained that the proposed meeting would provide a platform for both governments to review previous commitments, resolve outstanding issues and chart a new roadmap for cooperation.
“The second session will represent an important step in strengthening bilateral cooperation between Burundi and Nigeria,” he said.
The envoy added that the meeting is expected to drive concrete progress in key sectors including trade, education, tourism, mining and agro-industry.
He said the discussions would also focus on strengthening legal frameworks and sector-specific agreements needed to accelerate joint projects and investment flows.
“Our ambition is to achieve concrete commitments that deliver tangible results for our two countries and their populations,” Nduwimana added.
Beyond diplomatic engagement, the ambassador extended an open invitation to Nigerian businesses and investors to explore opportunities in Burundi, which he described as an emerging investment destination in East Africa.
According to him, Burundi serves as a strategic gateway to the regional market of the East African Community and offers promising prospects in sectors such as agriculture, mining, energy, infrastructure and tourism.
“Burundi is a stable country, open for business, and committed to improving its investment climate,” he said.
“We invite economic operators from the West African region in general, and Nigeria in particular, to explore these opportunities and establish lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships.”
The renewed push for cooperation signals Burundi’s determination to revive its energy partnership with Nigeria while expanding economic ties beyond oil into trade, investment and regional market access.
Burundi Presses Nigeria to Resume Crude Oil Supply, Seeks Deeper Economic Partnership
Former Kaduna governor El-Rufai loses mother
By: Zagazola Makama
The former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has lost his mother, Hajiya Umma, who passed away on Friday.
The announcement of her death was announced by the Elrufai Family on Friday.
Family sources said the deceased had been battling age-related health challenges, which worsened in recent times.
According to the sources, her condition reportedly deteriorated further after she learned of the detention of her son by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).
They noted that El-Rufai had been closely managing his mother’s health prior to her demise.
The family prayed for Almighty Allah to forgive her shortcomings and grant her Aljannatul Firdaus.
Former Kaduna governor El-Rufai loses mother
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NIGCOMSAT to Host Nigerian Satellite Week 2026 as Nigeria Marks 20 Years in Space Economy
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