SOCIAL WELFARE SERVICES AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION IN NIGERIA: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE ROLE OF THE NATIONAL AGENCY FOR THE PROHIBITION OF TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (NAPTIP)

ABSTRACT

The study was designed to examine Social Welfare Services and Illegal Migration in Nigeria: An Assessment of the Role of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP). The objectives of the study include the following: to examine if there is any significant relationship between social welfare services and illegal migration in Egor LGA, to examine the role of social welfare services on illegal migration in Egor LGA, and to ascertain the extent to which NAPTIP has performed its role as an agency for curbing the menace of illegal migration in Egor LG. The study adopted survey research design. The population of study of this research is made up of NAPTIP'S personnels in Benin zonal command, Egor LGA. The sample size of this study is 150 respondents drawn from NAPTIP'S zonal command, Egor LGA. The instrument used for the collection of data was the questionnaire which was administered to the study sampled respondents. Out of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 127 copies were retrieved. The data collected was analyzed using simple percentage and frequency table to answer the research questions generated for the study. The study found amongst others that, there is a close relationship between social welfare services and illegal migration in Egor LGA, and that NAPTIP plays a pivotal role in curbing the menace of illegal migration in Nigeria. Furthermore, policy recommendations were adopted which include amongst others that, the government should allocate sufficient funding to all anti-trafficking agencies, including NAPTIP, the police, and immigration, to bolster their operations and enhance effectiveness. This initiative would empower NAPTIP to expedite the prosecution of illegal migration and trafficking cases.