The Story of Professor Fatima Waziri –Azi, the Director General of NAPTIP: MADAM NO NONSENSE
She’s the Chair-lady and Director General NAPTIP. She’s an astute and a complete cerebral asset to Nigeria and NAPTIP. She has given an international face to the fight against human trafficking, maybe the reason behind her fierce fight against human trafficking is because of her specialization; Human Right Activist( women and Children), Anti-Corruption, Research and Training, Public Speaking. She is truly a gift to her country and the World at large.
Thank you MADAM NO NONSENSE.
The Agency that just turned 20 years in the fight against human trafficking headed by Madam No NONSENSE has made a remarkable impact, this year alone the Madam No Nonsense has sent countless high profile human traffickers to jail. In October this year MS Felicia Osaigbovo, An Edo born international human trafficker was sentenced to 12years’ imprisonment for human trafficking offense .Ms Osaigbovo is one amongst thousands of traffickers who are trouping to prison every day. Immediately she resumed office in 2021 she made it known to the public that, the Agency “We Remained Undaunted, Committed, and Poised to Tackle Human Trafficking ” and that is exactly what she is doing.
Madam NO Nonsense, with her legal experience she knew how the Nigerian border has been an enabler and contributor of human trafficking, she immediately strengthened the border and international bilateral agreement that his predecessor implemented in August of 2021. She extended the border agreement to the Republic of Niger and The Gambia, respectively. She believed that the Bilateral Agreements will improve regional cooperation to respond to human trafficking within the ECOWAS region and beyond.
Fatima Waziri-Azi attended the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, between 1996-2001 where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Law.
St. Thomas University where she had her M.L.L. in law between 2006-2007 and respectively obtained her PhD in Law at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. She is an Associate Member of the UK Chartered Institute of Arbitrators; and is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the New York County Lawyers Association, the Association of Women in Development and of Women in International Security and a member of many professional bodies.
She was Appointed in 2018 to work in the office of the former Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbanjo. she was released in 2021 to go and head NAPTIP.
She was a Research and Program Officer, Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption ( PACAC ) between 2016-2018.
Professor Fatima was the Head of a Department of Public Law at the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies. She served there for almost 12 years. She contributed immensely to the growth of the institution, she formulated a lots of policies bordering on Public Law, Human Right (Women and Children), Constitutional reform and annual survey of Nigerian Laws. Between 2007-2008 she was at the New York City Division of Legal Service Centre, where she handled the role of Administrative of Children Service.
She was the Attorney Senior Program Officer Women’s Right, Electoral Issues and Justice Sector Reform Desk; she served there between 2005-2006. Before then, she was at the Olisa Agbakoba Legal Centre in Lagos where she served for a period of 18 Months.
Professor Fatima Waziri has also received numerous awards and accolades across the globe.
Posted by: Francis Urrah
