Strengthening legal awareness: The Nigerian bar association’s role in combatting human trafficking in Nigeria

Abstract

Human trafficking is a complex global issue, which violates human rights and undermines public health and safety. Nigeria serves as a source, transit, and destination country, with internal trafficking accounting for 61% and external trafficking for 39% of cases. This concurrent mixed-method study examined the perceptions of 700 lawyers, including members of FIDA, using a structured questionnaire. The response rate was 99%, and the data were analyzed separately and integrated.The findings revealed that while 80% of the respondents were aware of government measures, only 40% believed they were effective.Although Nigeria has enacted laws to combat human trafficking, their implementation has been hindered by political will, corruption, inadequate funding, and limited collaboration. This study recommends increasing funding, enhancing collaboration, providing support services for victims, and strengthening law enforcement efforts. The NBA can provide ICLE programmes and training sessions that are especially geared towards preventing human trafficking. These courses ought to give lawyers a thorough understanding of the nature of human trafficking, the effects it has on victims, pertinent laws and regulations, investigative methods, and potential legal remedies.