First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, says she remains committed to economically empowering women, promoting girls’ education, and supporting survivors of abuse with the resources needed to rebuild their lives.
She gave the assurance in Abuja on Wednesday at a high-level multi-sectoral policy dialogue on ending violent crime in Nigeria, held alongside the launch of the 2024 Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Report.
She was represented by Mrs Fatima Abbas, Wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
The event, organized by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), was supported by the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), the European Union (EU), and other partners. It also marked the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
Mrs Tinubu noted that through the Renewed Hope Initiative and in collaboration with international partners, all 36 states and the FCT now have dedicated hotlines for reporting gender-based violence.
She stressed the need for stakeholders to challenge harmful cultural norms and attitudes that perpetuate abuse, support survivors, amplify their voices, and ensure accountability for perpetrators.
“We gather here today to mark a significant global campaign that unites individuals, organizations, and governments to end violence against women, girls, and persons in Nigeria.
“This annual campaign is a call to action and a reminder that violence against women and girls is a grave infringement of human rights and a threat to our progress as a nation.
“Gender-based violence and other violent crimes in Nigeria pose a threat to everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status,” she said.
ALSO READ: CCD calls for inclusive society for persons with disabilities
The First Lady emphasized the importance of building a Nigeria where every woman and girl can live, work, and aspire in dignity and peace.
Delivering the keynote address, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, described trafficking in persons and gender-based violence as fundamental assaults on humanity.
Represented by Mrs Yewande Awopetu, Head of the SGBV Response Unit, he said such crimes violate the dignity and rights of citizens, especially women and children who form the majority of victims.
Fagbemi noted that no single agency or organization could combat such complex and transnational crimes alone, underscoring the need for multi-sectoral collaboration.
“The fight against human trafficking and gender-based violence demands a coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained response that leverages the strengths of government agencies, civil society, international partners, traditional and religious institutions, and communities across Nigeria,” he said.
He added that Nigeria remains a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, with thousands—mostly women and girls—trafficked annually for sexual exploitation, forced labour, and other forms of modern slavery.
Earlier, NAPTIP Director-General, Mrs Binta Adamu-Bello, said the presence of stakeholders demonstrated Nigeria’s readiness to move beyond fragmented approaches and embrace an integrated framework for protecting citizens, especially women, children, and other vulnerable groups.
She said rapid social, economic, technological, and demographic changes in recent years had intensified vulnerabilities and widened the range of violent crimes.
Adamu-Bello noted that gender-based violence remains one of the most persistent threats, with alarming rates of sexual assault, domestic violence, emotional abuse, and harmful cultural practices that leave survivors traumatized and communities destabilized.
She assured that NAPTIP would continue to identify and prosecute perpetrators, while commending partners for their continued support.
