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NAPTIP Expresses Readiness to Fight Trafficking in Persons with Modern Technologies, Trends

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NAPTIP Expresses Readiness to Fight Trafficking in Persons with Modern Technologies, Trends

By: Michael Mike

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said it is ever ready to evolve modern technologies and practices to fight growing incidences of trafficking in persons in the country.

The Director General of the agency, Prof. Fatima Waziri-Azi said this on Thursday during the Official Launch of the NAPTIP-IPA Collaborative Project titled “Promoting Evidence-Based Anti-Trafficking Efforts in Nigeria.”

She said: “This collaborative venture between NAPTIP and IPA marks a pivotal shift towards strategic and informed interventions, setting the stage for a more impactful and nuanced approach in our ongoing fight against human trafficking, generously supported by the US Department of State Program to End Modern Day Slavery.”

She noted that: “What makes this project particularly exciting is its emphasis on evidence-based anti-trafficking efforts—a methodology that provides a solid foundation for a comprehensive, efficient, and impactful response to the multifaceted challenges posed by human trafficking.

“It empowers stakeholders with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions, ultimately contributing to the eradication of this heinous crime.”

Waziri-Azi said: “Human trafficking is an intricate and pervasive issue that demands our unwavering attention. To address this challenge effectively, we must continue to understand the ever-evolving landscape we are dealing with. This understanding cannot rely solely on intuition or assumptions; it must be grounded in evidence.”

She revealed that: “Over the last five years, we’ve witnessed an alarming transformation in the landscape of human trafficking in Nigeria. It’s no longer confined to its conventional, familiar form.

“Traffickers have expanded their operations, infiltrating the online sphere as much as the offline world. And this shift has brought forth new and unsettling trends that are reshaping the human trafficking ecosystem, compelling us to revolutionize our strategies in response to these disturbing developments.

“Human trafficking is not just a statistic. It is the faces, the stories, and the hopes of those who suffer. We must understand its intricacies—how it thrives in the shadows, exploiting desperation and despair. We must recognize that behind every case, there is a human face.

“And Data emerges as our most potent weapon in this fight. It reveals patterns, highlights vulnerabilities, and guides our interventions. A data-driven approach empowers us to identify high-risk areas, understand trafficking routes, and recognize the specific vulnerabilities of different demographics. By harnessing the power of data, we move beyond anecdotal evidence to create targeted and impactful solutions.”

She recalled that NAPTIP and IPA joined forces to strengthen the data collection, analysis, and research capacity of NAPTIP through the use of verifiable data in public policy making, stressing that: “In collaboration, NAPTIP brings its policy expertise, data, and information for policy-making, while IPA contributes its data collection, analysis, and evidence generation expertise that would improve the effectiveness of counter-trafficking programmes in Nigeria.”

Waziri-Azi noted that the ultimate goal of the collaboration is to empower NAPTIP to use data and rigorous research to design, test and scale evidence-based programmes and policies resulting in a significant, measurable reduction in the prevalence of human trafficking in Nigeria.

She insisted that “promoting evidence-based anti-trafficking efforts is not an option; it is an imperative. And our commitment to this cause must permeate every aspect of our strategies—from prevention to prosecution, from awareness campaigns to victim support.”

On her part, the Country Representative of Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA), Funmilayo Ayeni while noting that human and sex trafficking issues relate to poverty, said there is an urgent need to address post economic exploitation, sexual exploitation, child labour, servitude and modern day slavery.

She noted that through this project which is funded through the Program to End Modern Slavery in the US Department of State’s Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, IPA will support, the Nigerian government to reduce human trafficking by establishing a Human Trafficking Embedded Evidence Lab- a permanent infrastructure that will equip NAPTIP to develop and deliver more effective, evidence-based policies and programmes to combat sex trafficking.

She added this lab aims to support the institutionalization of a culture of evidence-bases decision-making by mapping administrative data, working side-by-side with NAPTIP teams and partners on capacity building, and evaluating innovations in human trafficking policies.

NAPTIP Expresses Readiness to Fight Trafficking in Persons with Modern Technologies, Trends

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Information Minister Tours Zulum’s 104 Mega Schools, EV Charging Terminal

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Information Minister Tours Zulum’s 104 Mega Schools, EV Charging Terminal

By: Our Reporter

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, on Wednesday, conducted an inspection tour of key legacy projects executed by the administration of Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, including one of the 104 mega schools and newly installed Electric Vehicle (EV) charging terminals in Maiduguri.

The tour was a highlight of the ongoing strategy meeting for Commissioners of Information from All Progressives Congress (APC)-governed states held in Maiduguri, Borno State capital.

Accompanied by his Borno State counterpart, Prof. Usman Tar, and information commissioners from across the APC states, the minister assessed the scale and quality of the infrastructure developments championed by Governor Babagana Umara Zulum.

The first point of call was one of the 104 mega schools named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu which was constructed to provide quality education and a conducive learning environment for children, many of whom have been affected by the over-decade-long insurgency in Borno.

The minister and his delegation commended the modern facilities which included spacious classrooms, laboratories, libraries and sporting facilities.

Following the school inspection, the team visited the location of the newly constructed EV charging terminal. This initiative, the largest in Nigeria, is part of Zulum’s forward-looking policy to promote green energy and modernise the state’s transport infrastructure.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, the minister lauded Governor Zulum’s visionary leadership and transformative projects:

“We have seen flyover bridges, a number of projects and investments that the state government have executed in education. We have been to some of the schools built by Borno State government. About 104 of them have been completed. We have seen the world-class facility in those schools,” the minister stated.

The minister also visited some federal government facilities in Maiduguri, including the Maiduguri power plant, the University of Maiduguri Solar Farm, and Muhammadu Buhari International Airport.

The strategy meeting is expected to conclude on Thursday (today) with a communiqué outlining a unified communication framework for the federal government and the information commissioners of the APC states.

Information Minister Tours Zulum’s 104 Mega Schools, EV Charging Terminal

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New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

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New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

By our reporter

The Vice Chancellor Federal University Lokoja (FUL) Prof Olayemi Akinwumi has described the African Development Bank (ADB) Solar Panel farm project built at the university as a permanent solution to energy crisis in the school campus.

Prof Akinwumi made this known during a project inspection tour which was part of activities lined up for the 9th Convocation of the university scheduled for Saturday this week.

According to the VC, FUL had embarked on a major project constructing a 1.72 Megawatt Solar Hybrid Project worth $200 million as a way of cushioning it’s electricity needs.

“The project, assisted by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank under the Energising Education programme, is a significant step towards sustainable energy.

“The Solar Panel farm itself is a solution to the energy requirements of the institution that will certainly put an end to energy needs at our campuses and hostels.

The VC who took journalists on tour of project sites after the pre-convocation press conference noted that the landmark project is a testament to the university’s commitment to environmental responsibility and operational self-reliance.

He said, “the 1.72 Megawatt solar power system, will enable the university to generate surplus electricity and achieve energy self-sufficiency, and benefit students and staff for generations to come.

“The solar power project is part of the University’s efforts to promote innovation and sustainability. The project will not only reduce the University’s reliance on public electricity but also provide a clean and renewable source of energy.

Speaking at the site of the multi-millions naira project during a media facility tour, Consultant of the project Engineer Ahmed, said the project which started two years ago is almost completed.

He hinted that the project consists of a workshop and training centre which will be used to train students in renewed energy technology.

Engineer Ahmed assured that the 1.7 megawatts solar farm will diffidently power the entire Felele campus of the University.

“We are training staff of the University who will take over the routine maintenance of the project so that it will serve the institution better” he said.

New Solar farm in FUL is ultimate solution to energy crisis in school campus – Prof Akinwumi

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Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

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Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

By: Michael Mike

Top policy influencers, business leaders, development partners, and women entrepreneurs from across Nigeria will gathered in Abuja as the Women Enterprise Alliance (WenA) is set to host its 5th Annual Conference

The conference, with the theme “Translating Policy into Practice: Cost-Reduction and Tax Reforms for Sustainable SME Growth,” is scheduled for Thursday, 16th October 2025, at the Diamond Hall, A-Class Event Centre, Wuse II, Abuja.

This year’s edition underscores WenA’s commitment to empowering Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), particularly women-led businesses, by addressing critical barriers such as high operational costs and complex tax regimes.

The event will feature key policy discussions, expert panels, and collaborative sessions designed to translate government policies into actionable strategies for sustainable business growth.

At the centre of this initiative is Her Excellency Aisha Babangida, Founder of WenA, whose leadership and advocacy for women’s economic empowerment have positioned her as a reference point in Nigeria’s entrepreneurial space.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Babangida stated, “At WenA, we believe that empowering SMEs, especially women-led enterprises, means empowering Nigeria’s future.

“This conference is not just a gathering; it is a call to action for stakeholders across sectors to translate policy into tangible, impactful change.”

Among the confirmed speakers are Ms Chayla Shagaya, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Entrepreneurship, who will deliver a keynote address on scaling SMEs through cost-reduction reforms, and the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), who is expected to present critical fiscal reforms aimed at creating a more supportive tax environment for SMEs.

The conference will also feature a strategic policy roadmap presentation developed by WenA in partnership with UN Women. This document outlines practical recommendations to address the pressing challenges facing SMEs, particularly in taxation and regulatory compliance.

A high-level panel discussion will include insights from Dr Fausat Aleshinloye, Economist and Policy Analyst; Ifeoma Malo, CEO of Clean Tech Hub; Mrs Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo of SheVentures (FCMB); and representatives from Nigeria’s energy sector. The conversation will be moderated by Dr Dahiru Sani.

A dedicated session will focus on simplifying Nigeria’s tax regime, with emphasis on harmonisation, ease of compliance, and improved transparency to reduce the burden on small businesses. Participants will also benefit from extensive networking opportunities, with stakeholders from government, finance, energy, and development sectors expected to attend.

As part of recognising excellence in the SME ecosystem, the conference will celebrate standout entrepreneurs and initiatives. Awards will include the prestigious “Most Scalable Business in North-Central Nigeria” and certificates of excellence for innovation and community impact.

Aisha Babangida, FIRS boss, Shagaya, others to headline WenA’s 5th Annual Conference on Tax Reforms, Cost Reduction for SME Growth

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