The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has inaugurated 450 secondary school students as anti-human trafficking ambassadors across 15 schools in Delta State. The launch of the second phase of the Schools Anti-Trafficking Education and Advocacy Project (STEAP) took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, at Ute-Okpu, Ika North East Local Government Area, under the leadership of the Benin Zonal Commander, Mr. Sam Offiah.
The structural and educational consequence of this project involves the formation of specialized school clubs, each comprising 30 “vanguards.” These clubs are strategically located in high-vulnerability areas, including Owa-Alero Secondary-Commercial School, the Special Education Centre in Agbor, and Ute-Okpu Grammar School. By the conclusion of this second phase, NAPTIP expects to have established a presence in 25 schools with a total of 750 trained student ambassadors across the state.
Analytically, the impact on “Grassroots Vigilance and Peer-to-Peer Advocacy” is the primary objective of the STEAP initiative. Offiah explained that students are the most frequent targets for traffickers; therefore, equipping them to recognize “red flags” allows for immediate reporting to counselors and authorities. This proactive model, funded by the Government of the Netherlands and implemented alongside the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), aims to shift the burden of detection from overstretched agencies to informed community members.
The impact on “Infrastructural Incentives and Institutional Support” provides a unique dual benefit to participating schools. According to ICMPD resource person Mrs. Ijeoma David-Ukoko, each of the 50 targeted schools under the project receives measurable improvements based on a needs assessment. These include solar power, boreholes, computers, and libraries. For instance, Mrs. Ezehi Chukwudi, Principal of the Special Education Centre in Agbor, confirmed that the project has already provided a solar-powered borehole, significantly easing water access for students with special needs.
Furthermore, the project is designed for long-term sustainability, with a current roadmap extending through 2027. NAPTIP has committed to monitoring these clubs closely and expanding advocacy beyond the initial 50-school pilot group. While the agencies provide the framework, local school leaders have used the platform to call for further state intervention specifically requesting more sign language teachers and specialized learning materials like braille for inclusive education.
The long-term outlook for anti-trafficking efforts in Delta State depends on the ability of these student “vanguards” to maintain their roles as information hubs within their peer groups. As the STEAP project moves toward its third year, the integration of physical infrastructure with social advocacy represents a holistic approach to making schools safe zones against exploitation and violence.
