In a groundbreaking move to address the intersection of climate change and human trafficking, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at reducing climate-induced vulnerabilities across the country.
The MoU, signed on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, marks a strategic partnership between the two federal agencies to raise climate change awareness and mitigate the risks of human trafficking, particularly in communities prone to climate disasters such as floods, droughts, and other extreme weather events.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of NiMet, emphasized the agency’s commitment to providing timely weather information and early warnings to at-risk populations.
“It is unfortunate that the link between climate change and increased vulnerability to human trafficking remains under-recognized. This partnership is part of our effort to deliver vital weather and climate data to vulnerable communities, enabling them to better prepare for climate extremes,” Anosike stated.
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, highlighted the urgent need to integrate climate change awareness into Nigeria’s anti-human trafficking strategies. According to her, distress migration driven by climate disasters often increases the risk of exploitation and trafficking.
“It is critical that we create awareness and provide early warnings across the country to reduce migration triggered by floods and other climate-related disasters. This collaboration with NiMet will enhance our capacity to protect those most at risk,” Bello noted.
Key Provisions of the NiMet-NAPTIP Partnership
Under the agreement, NiMet will supply NAPTIP with regular climate and weather updates, including early warnings on extreme weather events, seasonal climate outlooks, and vulnerability assessments. The agency will also offer technical expertise in interpreting meteorological data to aid in anti-trafficking operations and risk mapping.
Additionally, NiMet is expected to provide climate risk assessments to help NAPTIP identify high-risk areas where environmental displacement could escalate trafficking risks. A comprehensive climate vulnerability map will be developed for integration into NAPTIP’s operational risk assessment frameworks.
Addressing the Climate Change-Human Trafficking Nexus
This collaboration underscores a growing recognition of the complex ways in which climate change impacts human security in Nigeria. Experts have increasingly warned that climate-induced displacement, loss of livelihoods, and environmental degradation can heighten the risk of exploitation, particularly for women and children in vulnerable communities.
By combining NiMet’s expertise in meteorology with NAPTIP’s mandate to combat human trafficking, the agencies aim to develop proactive, data-driven strategies to protect Nigeria’s most vulnerable populations from both environmental hazards and human exploitation.
