Today, a quarter-century after the founding of the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, joined by dignitaries, advocates, and supporters, commemorated the foundation’s ongoing legacy in Nigeria.

The event not only celebrated WOTCLEF’s impact but paid tribute to those who have championed the cause of eradicating human trafficking and child labor.

WOTCLEF, a visionary organization founded by Atiku’s wife, Amina Titi Atiku Abubakar, emerged in 1999 amid the new democracy’s hopeful beginnings. Atiku, addressing the gathering, credited his wife’s tenacity and compassion for shaping WOTCLEF into a beacon of hope.

“She recognized the silent suffering of countless women and children and chose to act, becoming a voice for the voiceless,” he remarked. Atiku expressed profound pride, acknowledging her dedication as a driving force in changing lives and securing human rights.

Reflecting on the organization’s journey, Atiku highlighted the HIV/AIDS crisis and years of military dictatorship as reminders of the resilience required to push forward. WOTCLEF’s advocacy not only spurred awareness but led to the creation of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), a critical federal agency established to address and prevent trafficking. This significant step was made possible by the passage of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act of 2003, a bill sponsored by WOTCLEF and swiftly signed into law by then-President Olusegun Obasanjo.

In his remarks, Atiku extended heartfelt gratitude to former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his support and for lending his approval to the WOTCLEF bill in 2003, solidifying legal protections for the vulnerable and positioning Nigeria as a leader in the fight against trafficking. His courageous endorsement of the initiative laid the foundation for ongoing governmental efforts to curb trafficking and protect human rights in Nigeria. Atiku also acknowledged successive Nigerian Presidents who, recognizing the urgent need for reform, built upon the law. Notably, President Muhammadu Buhari’s revision of the Act in 2015 underscored Nigeria’s commitment to NAPTIP’s mission.

This anniversary marks not only 25 years of progress but serves as a reminder of the strength in collaborative governance. “Together, we have built a safer, fairer society for our people,” Atiku stated, urging continued support for WOTCLEF and NAPTIP in the years ahead.

As Atiku, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared these reflections on social media, his words underscored a collective journey in the fight for justice and dignity—a journey that remains just as critical today as it was when WOTCLEF first began its mission.