Pathfinders Organizes First Gap Analysis on Human Trafficking/Unsafe Migration in Nigeria

Pathfinders, in collaboration with her implementation partners, University of Venice (Italy), Equality Cooperativa Sociale, Nigeria Women’s Association and Assoc. 5050, organised and hosted a 2 day-Gap Analysis event awarded through the Mobility Partnership Facility Action (MPF) entitled: “INSigHT-Building Capacity to Deal with Human Trafficking and Transit Routes in Nigeria, Italy, Sweden.” The Gap Analysis, the first of its kind in Nigeria, was conducted at the Protea Hotel in Benin City, Edo State on June 10-11, 2019 and afforded anti-trafficking stakeholders the opportunity to identify gaps in current anti-trafficking/unsafe migration efforts within the country, to ensure that stakeholders are collaboratively working to ensure that ongoing projects complement each other (rather than duplicate efforts) and to ensure optimal collaboration, particularly on a transnational level.

The stakeholders were drawn from a broad base of key state, national and international actors, including representatives of NAPTIP (both Federal and Benin Zonal Command), Edo State Task Force Against Human Trafficking, Edo State Judiciary, NACTAL, Nigeria Immigration Service,  International Organisation for Migration, European Union Delegation to Nigeria, UK Department for International Development, UNODC, Expertise France, Delegation for the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and IDPs, DAI-MADE, IFRA, Red Cross, Salvation Army, University of Benin, the Oba Ewuare II Foundation (His Royal Highness, the Oba of Benin) as well as independent researchers, academics, survivors and returnees.

Participants deliberated on the Action’s four major thematic areas, namely Rehabilitation, Law Enforcement,Research and Awareness Raising, as these areas reflected gaps which invited stakeholders and policy makers to create clear action plans to change the current narrative.  At the conclusion of the 2-day Gap Analysis, the primary gaps in all four thematic areas were identified.  Thereafter, it was collectively determined that stakeholders, donors and implementors should work collaboratively, share key information to avoid duplication of efforts, craft programs/ interventions from a more holistic approach and design interventions geared towards safe/legal pathways for regular migration as well as generate local economic alternatives for would be migrants within Nigeria.  A copy of our summary Gap Analysis Report can be viewed here.  To request a copy, please email info@pathfindersji.org.  To learn more about the Action, visit www.insightproject.net.

The INSigHT Action is funded by the European Union contracted by ICMPD through the Mobility Partnership Facility.