ABUJA — The U.S. Department of State’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report says Nigeria’s anti-trafficking efforts are being undermined by corruption and official complicity, alleging that some law-enforcement, military and other government officials collude with traffickers and interfere with investigations. Despite the concerns, Nigeria remains on Tier 2, indicating it does not fully meet minimum standards to eliminate trafficking but is making significant efforts.
According to the report, judicial corruption continues to hamper prosecutions and convictions across crimes, including trafficking. It also cites inadequate screening and protection for victims in vulnerable groups—such as internally displaced persons (IDPs), children in forced begging or domestic work, and women and girls allegedly associated with non-state armed groups—leading in some cases to re-victimization or penalization. The report notes instances where authorities detained or returned victims to their Boko Haram “husbands” or traffickers.
Still, the government recorded measurable gains year-on-year. Authorities provided services to 2,058 victims in 2024 (812 women, 768 girls, 302 boys, 176 men), up from 1,194 the previous year, and allocated over ₦128 million ($83,115) for victim protection and assistance. NGOs identified a further 163 victims.
On enforcement, the government opened 744 investigations (293 sex trafficking, 203 labor trafficking, 248 unspecified), up from 698 in 2023. It initiated 71 prosecutions (33 sex trafficking, six labor trafficking, 32 unspecified) versus 48 the previous year, and secured 49 convictions (32 sex, five labor, 12 unspecified) under the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 (TIPLEAA). Courts issued sentences ranging from one to 15 years and, unlike prior years, provided more comprehensive sentencing data.
The TIP Report credits Nigeria with expanded awareness campaigns and partnering on two national surveys on child and forced labor. But it warns that insufficient shelters—particularly for men—and persistent corruption “contributed to impunity for traffickers.” Observers previously reported instances of sexual abuse and exploitation of IDPs by some security officers in and around Maiduguri, Borno State.
Under the U.S. Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA), Tier 2 countries are those making notable progress but falling short of minimum standards. The report urges Nigeria to strengthen victim identification and protection, ensure non-punishment for unlawful acts committed as a direct result of trafficking, and pursue accountability for officials who aid or obstruct trafficking cases.
The State Department concludes that while Nigeria’s numbers on investigations, prosecutions, convictions, and victim services improved, systemic integrity and protection gaps remain the key tests for sustaining progress.
