Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement

Last updated: August 2025

  1. Introduction & Context

Nigeria does not currently have a single, consolidated Modern Slavery Act comparable to the United Kingdom (2015) or Australia (2018). However, modern slavery, trafficking, and forced labour are explicitly prohibited under existing national and international frameworks.

  • Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), Section 34(1), guarantees that “no person shall be held in slavery or servitude” and prohibits “forced or compulsory labour.”
  • The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act 2015 (TIPPEA Act) criminalises trafficking in persons, forced labour, debt bondage, sexual exploitation, and slavery-like practices.
  • Internationally, Nigeria is a signatory to the ILO Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29) and the Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (No. 105), which outlaw all forms of forced and compulsory labour.
  • Nigeria has ratified the UN Palermo Protocol (2000) to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons, especially women and children.
  • iARAi also aligns with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (2011), which establish corporate responsibility to respect human rights across operations and supply chains.

In this context, while not legally required, iARAi voluntarily issues this Modern Slavery Statement as part of our commitment to ethical governance, transparency, and alignment with global best practice.

  1. About iARAi

iARAi is a mission-driven organisation dedicated to advancing SDG-aligned research, foresight, and innovation across Africa. Our work spans policy analysis, data curation, strategic advisory, and collaborative partnerships addressing issues of governance, equity, sustainability, and technology.

As a research and policy institute, our direct risk exposure to modern slavery is low, since we do not operate in high-risk industries such as manufacturing, construction, or agriculture. However, we recognise potential risks may arise in:

  • Procurement (e.g., IT services, facilities, and event logistics).
  • Partnerships with African and international organisations.
  • Research engagement in sectors such as agriculture, extractives, or informal digital labour markets.

  1. Our Commitment

iARAi adopts a zero-tolerance policy toward all forms of modern slavery, forced labour, human trafficking, and exploitation. We are committed to:

  • Acting transparently and responsibly in our operations.
  • Upholding Nigerian law (1999 Constitution; TIPPEA Act 2015).
  • Aligning voluntarily with international frameworks (ILO Conventions; UN Palermo Protocol; UN Guiding Principles).
  • Setting an example in Africa by adopting a Modern Slavery Statement ahead of any domestic legislative requirement.

  1. Policies and Controls

Our policies reflect this commitment and guide the way we manage risk:

  • Ethical recruitment: Ensuring all employment is voluntary, free from coercion, and compliant with Nigerian labour law.
  • Supplier due diligence: Assessing suppliers and partners to ensure compliance with anti-slavery and ethical labour practices.
  • Research ethics: Reviewing projects to avoid complicity in exploitative systems and prioritising the dignity of research participants.
  • Whistleblowing and grievance mechanisms: Encouraging safe reporting of concerns without fear of retaliation.

  1. Training and Awareness

iARAi is committed to awareness-raising and capacity-building:

  • Staff and associates are provided with information on recognising risks of modern slavery.
  • We reference international resources such as the Global Slavery Index (Walk Free Foundation, 2023), which provides data-driven insights on the prevalence of modern slavery worldwide, including Africa.
  • We also draw on ILO guidelines and UN resources to inform training and policy updates.

  1. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

This Statement will be reviewed annually and updated to reflect new risks, international developments, and internal improvements. iARAi will continue to build partnerships with relevant organisations, including NAPTIP, ILO, and UN agencies, to strengthen our role in preventing modern slavery in Africa.

  1. Approval

This Modern Slavery Statement has been reviewed and approved by the Board of the Institute of African Research, Advisory & Innovation and is signed on its behalf by:

Ngozi Ichoku,  

Director – iARAi