The Project Steering and Coordination Committee (PSCC) Meeting held in Abuja on December 14th, 2023, marked a significant milestone in the implementation of the Action Against Trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants (A-TIPSOM) project, funded by the European Union. The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the International and Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies (FIIAPP), the Ministry of Budget and National Planning of Nigeria, and major beneficiaries such as the National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Police Force, and Network of CSOs Against Trafficking (NACTAL).
The primary purpose of the PSCC meeting was to assess the achievements of the A-TIPSOM project since its inception and formally announce its conclusion. Notable attendees included FIIAPP’s Director of Peace and Security, Miguel De Domingo, Mr. Rueben Alba (Head of Democracy, Governance, and Migration), and Dr. Fatima Waziri–Azi, the Director-General of NAPTIP, who was represented by Mr. Rasheed Lawal, National President of NACTAL and representatives Spanish Embassy and Spanish National Police.
While declaring the meeting open, the representative of the Coordinating Chairman and Minister of Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning commended both European Union and FIIAPP for their smooth implementation of A-TIPSOM project with Nigerian agencies.
In her goodwill message, the Director-General of NAPTIP commended the European Union and FIIAPP for the progress in the implementation of A-TIPSOM Project
The Technical Advisors of the A-TIPSOM Project highlighted the achievements of the activities implemented in 2023. The team leader of A-TIPSOM Project, Mr. Federico Millan officially announced that the project is at its final phase and is due to end in March, 2023. In appreciation, A-TIPSOM Team leader presented award of appreciation to NAPTIP, Nigeria Immigration, Nigeria Police and NACTAL. Also, certificates of commendations were presented to all the Project Technical Advisors: Joseph Sanwo, Bello Omotosho, Sani Bello, Nurat Lawal, Ugo Ogbunude and Joseph Osuigwe.
The Action Against trafficking in Persons and Smuggling of Migrants in Nigeria (A-TIPSOM) began in 2018, through an agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Government of Nigeria, with the objective to reduce the trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, at national, regional and international level, and between Nigeria and the European Union, with specific emphasis in women and children, working with main Nigerian agencies, such as NAPTIP, NIS, NPF and the representative of the civil society, NACTAL.