By Ameh Gabriel
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 raise awareness about climate change and reduce the vulnerability of at-risk communities to human trafficking.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, marks a significant step in integrating climate intelligence into anti-trafficking efforts across Nigeria.
Speaking at the event, Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, emphasized the agency’s readiness to support vulnerable communities with timely weather alerts and climate information.
“It is unfortunate that the link between climate change and increased susceptibility to human trafficking remains underrecognized. Through this partnership with NAPTIP, we aim to bridge that gap by delivering vital weather and climate updates to help communities prepare for climate-related disasters,” Anosike stated.
On her part, the Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, described the collaboration as a strategic effort to mitigate the socio-economic impact of climate change.
“Raising awareness nationwide is crucial. Many cases of distress migration due to climate events like flooding can lead to trafficking. This partnership with NiMet will help us proactively reduce such risks,” she said.
Under the terms of the MoU, NiMet will provide NAPTIP with critical climate and weather data, including early warnings on extreme weather events, seasonal climate outlooks, and climate vulnerability assessments. NiMet will also assist in interpreting meteorological data to enhance anti-trafficking planning, identify high-risk areas through climate risk assessments, and supply vulnerability maps to support NAPTIP’s strategic interventions.
The partnership underscores the growing recognition of climate change as a driver of human displacement and the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to safeguard vulnerable populations.
