BY FRONTLINE REPORETERS
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for stronger sanctions and deeper collaboration between Nigeria and Italy to combat human trafficking, especially the trafficking of Nigerian women to the European nation.
Abbas made the call on Wednesday while receiving the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas expressed concern that although Italy remains one of the top destinations for Nigerian migrants in Europe, it has also become a major route for human traffickers exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.
Frontline Reporters gathered that the Speaker described human trafficking as a long-standing menace that has continued to damage Nigeria’s image internationally.
“On the issue of migration, bearing in mind that Nigeria has about 137,000 migrants residing in your country, it is something worthy of note,” Abbas stated.
“I also want to bring up one thorny issue that the governments of Italy and Nigeria have been addressing over the years, and that is the issue of human trafficking, particularly women. Italy remains one of the major destinations for trafficking over the last 30 years.
“I sincerely believe that under your leadership, Nigeria and Italy will continue to push harder until we eradicate this very serious menace. It is a huge stigma to our country, and I am sure it is equally a concern for the Italian government,” he added.
For decades, Nigerian authorities and international agencies have battled organised trafficking syndicates that transport mostly young women through dangerous migration routes across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean into Italy and other parts of Europe.
Many victims are reportedly deceived with promises of lucrative jobs and better living conditions abroad, only to end up trapped in prostitution, forced labour, debt bondage and other forms of exploitation.
The trafficking network, which gained notoriety in the late 1990s and early 2000s, has triggered several interventions by Nigerian anti-trafficking agencies, Italian authorities and global organisations. Despite arrests and bilateral operations, experts say poverty, unemployment, porous borders and transnational criminal networks continue to fuel the illegal trade.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has repeatedly identified Edo State and parts of southern Nigeria as major recruitment hubs for trafficking operations targeting Europe, particularly Italy. Hundreds of trafficked victims have also been repatriated from Libya and Italy in recent years through assisted return programmes.
Beyond migration issues, Abbas said Nigeria was eager to strengthen relations with Italy in critical sectors such as health, education, energy and parliamentary diplomacy.
He noted that one of the major initiatives under his leadership was the establishment of parliamentary friendship groups with 78 countries, including Italy, to deepen international cooperation.
“There are so many positive developments in the area of economic relations between Nigeria and Italy,” the Speaker said.
Abbas also referenced the proposed Nigeria-Italy Binational Commission being championed by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to boost security and economic cooperation between both nations.
Describing Nigeria as a nation blessed with abundant human resources, the Speaker urged the Italian government to encourage favourable immigration policies capable of creating legal migration opportunities for skilled Nigerians.
“Italy is one of the most important countries to Nigeria. Our political and economic relationship spans many years. We grew up knowing several Italian companies, especially major players in the construction industry. Italy is truly a household name in Nigeria, and we appreciate the cordial relationship between both countries,” Abbas stated.
He further commended the accommodating nature of Italians toward Africans, noting that Nigerians rank among the largest immigrant populations in the European Union.
Earlier, Ambassador Mengoni disclosed that he assumed duty in Nigeria in
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2026-05-13