Nigeria Italy human trafficking talks deepen as Tajudeen Abbas seeks stronger cooperation with Italy against trafficking networks

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has called for stronger collaboration between Nigeria and Italy to combat human trafficking, particularly the trafficking of Nigerian women to the European country.

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Abbas made the appeal 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 noted that although Italy remains one of the leading destinations for Nigerian migrants in Europe, it has also become a major route for traffickers exploiting vulnerable Nigerians.

“On the issue of migration, which you have just mentioned, bearing that Nigeria has 137,000 migrants residing in your country, is something worthy of note,” Abbas said.

“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 of women. Italy has remained one of the major destinations for trafficking over the last 30 years.”

The speaker expressed optimism that both countries would intensify efforts to eliminate the criminal networks responsible for the trade.

“I hope and sincerely believe that under your leadership here, Nigeria and Italy will continue to push and push until we eradicate this very serious menace,” Abbas added.

The Nigeria Italy Human Trafficking challenge has remained a major concern for authorities and international organisations for decades, with thousands of young Nigerians reportedly trafficked through dangerous migration routes across the Sahara Desert and the Mediterranean Sea into Europe.

Many victims are allegedly deceived with promises of employment and better living conditions before being forced into prostitution, debt bondage and other forms of exploitation.

The trafficking networks became particularly notorious during the late 1990s and early 2000s, prompting repeated interventions from Nigerian anti-trafficking agencies, Italian authorities and international organisations.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons has previously identified parts of southern Nigeria, particularly Edo State, as major recruitment hubs for trafficking operations targeting Europe.

Abbas also stressed Nigeria’s interest in strengthening relations with Italy beyond migration concerns, especially in healthcare, education, energy and parliamentary diplomacy.

The speaker disclosed that the House of Representatives had established parliamentary friendship groups with 78 countries, including Italy, as part of efforts to deepen international cooperation.

“There are so many wonderful things happening in the area of economy between Nigeria and Italy,” he said.

Abbas further referenced the proposed Nigeria-Italy Binational Commission being championed by Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to enhance cooperation on economic and security matters.

Describing Nigeria as a nation blessed with abundant human resources, Abbas urged the Italian government to support favourable immigration policies that would create legal migration opportunities for skilled Nigerians.

“Your country is one of the most important countries to Nigeria. Our history, our journey politically, has been a very long one,” the speaker said.

Earlier, Ambassador Mengoni said he had assumed duty in Nigeria in October 2025 and had since engaged key stakeholders to strengthen bilateral relations between both countries.

The envoy said the Italian Embassy remained committed to expanding political, cultural and commercial ties with Nigeria.

Mengoni also recalled President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Rome for an international counter-terrorism conference, noting that both nations shared common interests.

“We hope to see more visits in the near future,” the ambassador said.

Also read: Police crack human trafficking ring in Ondo, rescue abused 21-year-old woman

He further stressed the importance of democratic governance and the rule of law, saying Nigeria and Italy could continue to exchange ideas and institutional experiences in those areas.