Today, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joined dignitaries, advocates, and supporters to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) in Nigeria. The event honored WOTCLEF’s legacy and paid tribute to those fighting to eradicate human trafficking and child labor.
Founded in 1999 by Atiku’s wife, Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, WOTCLEF has become a leading voice against human trafficking. Reflecting on its journey, Atiku praised his wife’s commitment to championing the rights of vulnerable women and children, stating, “She recognized the silent suffering… and chose to act, becoming a voice for the voiceless.”
WOTCLEF’s work led to the creation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) following the passage of the Trafficking in Persons Act in 2003, supported by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo. The agency has since remained vital in protecting human rights, strengthened further by President Muhammadu Buhari’s revision of the Act in 2015.
Atiku shared his reflections on social media, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in building a fairer society. The anniversary marks both a celebration of WOTCLEF’s achievements and a reminder of the ongoing commitment needed to end human trafficking in Nigeria.
