The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) are championing storytelling as a powerful tool in the fight against human trafficking in Nigeria.
At the 2025 award ceremony of the annual short film contest on trafficking, IOM’s Deputy Head of Mission, Paula Pace, underscored the urgency of strengthening both prevention and prosecution efforts. She noted that traffickers, motivated by profit, must be stopped through asset seizure and justice, while communities must be protected from false promises that fuel vulnerability.
“This year, we received 80 film submissions double the number from 2023. It’s a clear sign that Nigerian youth are ready to be part of the solution through creative storytelling,” she said.
Pace emphasized that taking funds from traffickers to support survivors and increasing public awareness are essential to ending the cycle of exploitation.
NAPTIP’s Director of Public Enlightenment, Kehinde Akomolafe, praised IOM for its partnership in public education campaigns and capacity building. She noted that traffickers often hide in plain sight, posing as trusted relatives or employers.
“So far, we’ve trained judges, sensitised communities, rescued over 20,000 victims, and secured more than 700 convictions,” Akomolafe stated.
She called for greater collaboration and awareness to dismantle the culture of silence surrounding trafficking.
The contest’s 2025 winner, Babalola Oluwatobi, a media strategist and storyteller, highlighted the role of advocacy in exposing trafficking networks, especially those involving close acquaintances.
Runners-up Jayeoba David and Ndulue Emmanuel were also recognized. The contest, launched in 2023, offers cash prizes of $2,500, $1,500, and $1,000 for the top three entries and aims to drive public engagement through creative expression in the fight against human trafficking.
