NiMet, NAPTIP Forge Partnership to Combat Human Trafficking Through Climate Awareness
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote climate change awareness and reduce vulnerabilities that can lead to human trafficking.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday, 14th May 2025, in Abuja, formalises a strategic collaboration between the two agencies aimed at using meteorological expertise to aid in the prevention of human trafficking, particularly in communities most at risk from the effects of climate change.
Speaking during the ceremony, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, Professor Charles Anosike, emphasised the agency’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities with timely and actionable climate information.
“It is unfortunate that increased vulnerability to human trafficking as a result of the effects of climate change is still not sufficiently acknowledged,” Professor Anosike stated. “However, this partnership with NAPTIP is part of our collaborative efforts to disseminate weather and climate information to vulnerable communities to enable adequate preparedness for climate extremes.”
He reaffirmed NiMet’s readiness to provide early warnings and climate advisories that would enable at-risk populations to better prepare for environmental disasters such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves.
In her remarks, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, described the partnership as timely and essential in mitigating the socio-economic pressures that often compel people into distress migration and, ultimately, trafficking.
“It is very critical that we create awareness across the country so that we can reduce distress migration arising from climate disasters such as floods,” she said. “The information NiMet will provide will strengthen our capacity to understand where and how climate change is exacerbating vulnerabilities.”
Under the terms of the agreement, NiMet will offer a suite of services including early warnings on extreme weather events, seasonal climate outlooks, and vulnerability assessments. The agency will also assist NAPTIP by interpreting meteorological data to support the planning and execution of anti-trafficking initiatives.
In addition, NiMet will deliver climate risk assessments to help NAPTIP identify high-risk zones where environmental displacement may lead to increased trafficking. A key deliverable from the partnership includes the development of a climate vulnerability map that NAPTIP can integrate into its operational risk frameworks.
The collaboration reflects a growing recognition of the link between climate change and human trafficking, particularly in countries like Nigeria where environmental pressures frequently force internal displacement and unsafe migration.
By combining meteorological intelligence with anti-trafficking efforts, NiMet and NAPTIP hope to not only raise awareness but also build resilience in communities most likely to suffer the dual threats of climate crises and exploitation.
