WINSEC Summit 2026: NAPTIP, NAWOJ Deepen Partnership to Tackle Human Trafficking Through Media Advocacy and Public Awareness

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has pledged its full support and active participation in the forthcoming Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026, reaffirming its commitment to partnering with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) to combat human trafficking through sustained public enlightenment, strategic communication, and media collaboration.

The commitment was made when the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, led a delegation of the Association on a courtesy visit to the Director-General of NAPTIP, Binta Lami Adamu Bello, to formally invite the Agency to partner with NAWOJ for the maiden edition of the WINSEC Summit & Awards 2026, scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

Receiving the delegation, the Director-General expressed delight at reconnecting with NAWOJ, recalling the Agency's longstanding relationship with the Association and assuring the delegation of her unwavering support.

> "I want to assure you that my doors are always open to NAWOJ. I look forward to working with you every time, any time. We are going to work together, and whatever support we can provide, we will do so," she said.

Bello pledged that NAPTIP would actively participate in the summit and directed the Agency's relevant departments to immediately begin coordination with NAWOJ to ensure effective planning and participation.

> "Don't wait. Work hand in hand with our team immediately so that we clearly understand our role and are able to take the necessary decisions on the various responsibilities expected of us for the summit," she stated.

The Director-General assured NAWOJ of NAPTIP's full institutional support toward the success of the summit and called for a long-term partnership between both organisations, stressing that journalists remain indispensable allies in the fight against human trafficking through factual reporting, sustained public enlightenment, and advocacy.

She disclosed that human trafficking continues to pose serious national and transnational security challenges, with cases involving women and girls recorded daily across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

According to Bello, the Agency continues to receive distress calls from victims and their families, while recent trafficking trends indicate increasing movements to countries such as Mali, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, alongside widespread cases of internal trafficking across several states in Nigeria.

She appealed to NAWOJ members nationwide to leverage their platforms to educate communities, expose trafficking networks, and amplify NAPTIP's public awareness campaigns, describing journalists as critical partners in protecting vulnerable women and children.

> "We expect robust collaboration and partnership with you so that together we can continue to educate Nigerians on the dangers of human trafficking and ensure that the voices of vulnerable persons are heard," she added.

The Director-General also directed NAPTIP's Public Enlightenment Department and Public Relations Unit to work closely with NAWOJ in developing a sustainable framework for collaboration beyond the WINSEC Summit, including joint engagements with NAWOJ state chapters to deepen grassroots awareness and strengthen efforts against trafficking in persons.

Earlier, the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, commended NAPTIP for its renewed momentum in tackling human trafficking, child exploitation, sexual abuse, and other forms of gender-based violence under Bello's leadership.

She said the Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026 is conceived as a national platform that will bring together heads of security agencies, policymakers, development partners, diplomats, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, women leaders, young professionals, and the media to advance practical solutions for strengthening national security through inclusive leadership, strategic communication, and institutional partnerships.

Ibrahim appealed to NAPTIP to partner with NAWOJ by participating actively in the summit, sharing the Agency's experiences in combating trafficking in persons, and supporting broader advocacy aimed at protecting women, children, and other vulnerable groups.

She also reaffirmed NAWOJ's commitment to building a lasting partnership with NAPTIP through media capacity-building, public awareness campaigns, and sustained advocacy to combat human trafficking, promote safe migration, and strengthen the protection and rehabilitation of survivors.

Both organisations expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration would enhance public awareness, strengthen prevention efforts, and contribute significantly to the fight against human trafficking and other forms of exploitation in Nigeria.