Stakeholders Urge Collaborative Efforts To Curb Human Trafficking

Stakeholders have stressed the need for collaborative efforts to explore legal migrations pathways for Nigerian-German immigrants to enhance job creation, vocational skill learning and work life balance to curb the risk associated with illegal migration, human trafficking and exploitative agents.

Addressing issues of illegal migrations in Lagos with the theme, “Information Session on Safe Migration Work and Study opportunities in Germany,” the stakeholders drawn from GIZ, Goethe Institute, Denny Social Welfare Hub and Nigerian-German Centre for Migration and Development agreed that collaborative efforts and partnerships with Nigeria-German Centre for Migration would spur the needed economic growth and sustainability.

They also expressed readiness to curb irregular migration, adding that DSWHUB had been actively engaging in community outreach programs, educational campaigns, and collaboration with both local and international organizations to stem the tide.

Speaking at the consultative session, the executive director of DSWHUB, Abosede Otukpe, said they believe that by offering Nigerians access to credible information about legal migration processes, they can significantly reduce the risks associated with irregular migration.

Otukpe explained that the issue of irregular migration has reached critical levels in Nigeria adding that the nation has seen an increasing number of its citizens taking perilous journeys, driven by misinformation, false promises, and a lack of access to accurate information on legal migration pathways.

She noted that individuals fall prey to human traffickers, exploitative agents, or dangerous circumstances, resulting in tragic consequences.

She said many Nigerians seek better economic opportunities, educational prospects, or personal growth abroad, but without proper guidance, they inadvertently put themselves at risk without proper guidance while stressing that this issue doesn’t just affect individuals; it impacts entire families and communities, leaving a lasting negative effect on our society as a whole.

Also, the programme component manager, GIZ/ZME Nigeria, Mr Ayomikun Olugbode said, “In line with GIZ’s mission to promote safe, regular, and responsible migration, the essence of this program is to empower people with the information they need to make well-informed decisions about migration.’’