The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) have entered into a strategic partnership to raise awareness about climate change and reduce the vulnerability of at-risk communities to human trafficking.
The two agencies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, formalizing their collaboration.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Professor Charles Anosike, Director General and CEO of NiMet, emphasized the agency’s readiness to provide timely weather and climate forecasts to support communities in preparing for climate-related disasters.
“It is unfortunate that the link between climate change and increased vulnerability to human trafficking remains under-recognized,” he said. “Through this partnership with NAPTIP, we aim to ensure that weather and climate information reaches vulnerable populations, helping them prepare for and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.”
Director General of NAPTIP, Binta L. Adamu Bello, welcomed the partnership, noting that climate-induced disasters often lead to displacement, which traffickers exploit.
“We must intensify awareness across the country to address distress migration caused by climate-related crises such as flooding,” she said. “This collaboration will support our efforts to protect people from exploitation in times of climate-induced vulnerability.”
Under the MoU, NiMet will provide NAPTIP with critical climate and weather information, including early warnings on extreme weather events, seasonal outlooks, and vulnerability assessments. The agency will also offer expertise in interpreting meteorological data to support anti-trafficking strategies and help identify high-risk areas where climate-induced displacement may lead to trafficking.
NiMet will further provide climate risk assessments and vulnerability maps, allowing NAPTIP to integrate this data into its operational risk profiling and intervention planning.
This partnership marks a significant step toward addressing the intersection of climate change and human trafficking, with both agencies committed to protecting vulnerable populations through informed action.