By Boma West
The Network Against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL) Nigeria has asked the United States Department of State to take another look at how Nigeria was assessed in its 2026 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report, saying the work of civil society groups was not adequately reflected.
In a statement, the network said it values the TIP Report as an international yardstick but argued that Nigeria’s response to trafficking involves far more than government agencies. Non-governmental organisations, community groups and international partners, it said, all play a part, and an assessment that leaves them out gives only a partial picture.
Protection and shelters
NACTAL said one of its biggest worries is the limited recognition of NGOs in caring for victims. According to the network, support for survivors goes well beyond rescue or referral. It includes safe housing, food, healthcare, counselling, legal help, family tracing, skills training and long-term follow-up to prevent re-trafficking.
It noted that many civil society groups run shelters and community services, often with scarce resources, and that their capacity, limitations and results should be counted. It added that shortfalls in shelter space and funding should also be openly acknowledged so that support can be mobilised.
The statement singled out Patriotic Citizen Initiatives (PCI), among other NACTAL members, for contributing to protection, counselling and reintegration for vulnerable people and returning migrants.
Prevention and partners
The network also said prevention work, such as community sensitisation, school outreach, engagement with religious and traditional institutions, and youth advocacy, rarely produces headline figures like arrests or convictions, yet it is central to stopping exploitation before it starts. It urged recognition of measurable results, including communities reached, awareness programmes delivered and people referred for help.
On international support, NACTAL said assistance from the European Union and partners such as IOM, ICMPD, FIAP, Expertise France and UNODC reaches communities through local organisations, whose role should be documented alongside institutional agreements.
Tier 2 and Ghana
NACTAL noted that Nigeria remains on Tier 2 while Ghana moved up to Tier 1. It acknowledged that rankings rest on government efforts measured against minimum standards, and said it was not demanding an automatic upgrade or denying that serious gaps remain in investigations, prosecutions, victim identification, access to justice and reintegration. Its question, it said, is whether all relevant contributions were fully considered.
Demands
The network called on the U.S. State Department to:
Review Nigeria’s assessment and check whether civil society contributions were properly considered
Engage NACTAL, its members, shelter operators and survivor-support providers for further evidence
Recognise civil society’s role in protection and reflect its prevention work
Account for the contributions of international partners and their local implementers
Strengthen consultation and evidence gathering
Allow Nigerian stakeholders to make supplementary submissions
NACTAL stressed that it is not seeking exemption from scrutiny but a fair, evidence-based assessment. It also urged Nigerian organisations to improve documentation and data collection so their impact can be demonstrated.
“Fighting trafficking is a shared responsibility,” the network said in effect, adding that it remains ready to work with government, civil society, international partners and communities to protect vulnerable people, support survivors and ensure traffickers face justice.
