Group pushes for anti-trafficking curriculum in Nigerian colleges

The International Centre for Migration Policy Development on Monday called for collaboration among stakeholders to introduce anti-trafficking education in Nigerian colleges.

The call was part of a communiqué issued in Enugu at the end of a three-day national training workshop on the School Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy project.

ICMPD Project Manager, Mrs Rhoda Johnson, stated that the workshop was organised by ICMPD in collaboration with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and the National Commission for Colleges of Education.

The communiqué called for an expanded public awareness campaign to educate the public on the dangers of human trafficking and the tactics traffickers use to deceive and exploit victims.

It noted that the workshop, designed for lecturers from Colleges of Education in Benue, Delta, and Enugu states, focused on building educators’ capacity to combat human trafficking.

The communiqué, presented by Johnson, recommended that anti-trafficking education be introduced in colleges through the newly developed curriculum for schools.

The curriculum, now part of the NCE Minimum Standard, aims to help future teachers understand the complexities of trafficking and educate their students on its dangers and warning signs.

“There is a need to strengthen existing laws and their enforcement to ensure justice for victims and the swift prosecution of traffickers.

“We urge participants to extend this training by organising additional sessions for various target groups and to support local institutions in broadening the reach of anti-trafficking education,” Johnson said.
The communiqué also advocated the creation and distribution of teaching materials in multiple languages to ensure accessibility for diverse audiences and the development of online platforms or mobile apps for ongoing learning and resource sharing.

It further recommended the establishment of networks among trained trainers for continued support, resource sharing, collaboration, and partnerships with relevant government agencies, civil society, and international organisations to strengthen anti-trafficking efforts.

According to the communiqué, the training provided educators with the knowledge and skills to train their peers and students in anti-trafficking education, creating a ripple effect to help combat trafficking nationwide.

(NAN)