The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has raised alarm about the high number of unreported cases of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Nigeria. They say 58 percent of survivors do not seek help or report what happened to them.
The agency also shared that 21 percent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have faced physical or sexual violence.
These figures were shared during a two-day SGBV Media Corps Workshop hosted by NAPTIP. The workshop had backing from the European Union Support to End Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (ESGBV) Programme, which is run by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA).
The event also marked the launch of the SGBV Media Corps. This initiative aims to help journalists report cases of sexual and gender-based violence in a more ethical, accurate, and responsible way.
The programme focuses on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the states of Benue, Kaduna, and Oyo. It aims to improve public engagement, support community communication, and promote access to reliable information about preventing and responding to SGBV.
The initiative wants to change how the media covers SGBV. Instead of sensational reports, it aims for survivor-centered and evidence-based journalism.
It also aims to improve referral pathways for survivors and challenge social norms that allow violence against women and girls to continue.
During the workshop, Toyin Adewale-Gabriel, a facilitator, pointed out that the 21 percent figure shows how serious the violence against women is in Nigeria. She emphasized that more than half of survivors not reporting makes it even more urgent for the media to provide accurate information and create a safe space for survivors to seek help.
Ms Adewale-Gabriel stated that responsible reporting can help rebuild public trust in institutions and encourage survivors to find support services.
Vincent Adekoye, who leads Press and Public Relations at NAPTIP, called on journalists to look deeper than just reporting individual cases. He urged them to investigate what causes SGBV to continue.
He said the media should examine the roles of institutions, cultural practices, and social norms that contribute to violence.
“We want the media to go beyond the usual reports and start questioning ongoing issues,” Mr Adekoye said.
He explained that the new media corps aims to involve more key players in the fight against SGBV.
According to him, journalists must not only inform the public about incidents but also look into the systems that allow such violence to thrive. He stressed that protecting survivors from further harm through careless reporting is essential.
“We want media reports to respect the victims. We must protect their dignity and privacy,” he said.
He added that reporting should not add to the stigma but should help survivors regain their confidence in society.
Mr Adekoye also mentioned that NAPTIP has rescued over 3,000 people from dangerous situations since January 2026. He said the agency secured more than 20 convictions in SGBV-related cases, including three life sentences.
He noted that NAPTIP has expanded its efforts by working with frontline agencies like the police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. The agency is also focusing on community engagement.
He mentioned that NAPTIP is working to improve cooperation among institutions involved in fighting and responding to SGBV.
Mr Adekoye brought attention to the rise of technology-facilitated gender-based violence, which poses a new challenge. He called for more public awareness and stronger teamwork among government bodies, civil society, communities, and the media.
He also talked about the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, 2015, noting that 34 states have adopted it. Kogi and Delta states are the only ones yet to do so.
The VAPP Act aims to prevent various types of violence and protect victims and survivors.
Mr Adekoye emphasized that effectively implementing this law is crucial to addressing SGBV and holding offenders accountable.
At the workshop, Armsfree Ajanaku discussed international and regional guidelines for preventing SGBV. He mentioned key instruments like CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol, and the Sustainable Development Goals as vital to Nigeria’s laws.
He noted that fighting SGBV needs ongoing commitment from government bodies, civil society, partners, the media, and citizens.
Earlier, Wynyfred Achu-Egbuson, a specialist at International IDEA, shared the goals of the EU-supported ESGBV Programme and explained why the Media Corps was set up. She said the initiative aims to equip journalists with the skills to report SGBV responsibly while backing the implementation of protective laws.
She added that the programme will also focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and how technology can be used to harm or amplify abuse.
The workshop gathered journalists to boost their understanding of SGBV, ethical reporting, survivor protection, and the media's role in prevention. The organizers aim to enhance the quality of media and community communication about SGBV in FCT, Benue, Kaduna, and Oyo states.
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