Strengthening Legal Frameworks to Combat Trafficking in Persons for Organ Harvesting: Lessons from Nigeria

Trafficking in persons for organ harvesting is a rapidly growing transnational crime that exploits vulnerable populations and exposes weaknesses in legal and enforcement systems. Nigeria, as a source, transit, and destination country for human trafficking, has seen increasing cases of organ trafficking, yet its response remains limited. Although the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015 provides a general framework, it contains few specific provisions on organ harvesting, making investigation and prosecution difficult. This paper examines Nigeria’s legal framework on organ trafficking, assessing strengths, gaps, and enforcement challenges. It considers how weak transplant regulation, limited investigative capacity, corruption, and jurisdictional barriers sustain trafficking networks. Key cases and policy initiatives are reviewed to identify systemic failures in enforcement and judicial processes. Drawing on Nigeria’s experience, the paper proposes reforms including stronger penalties for offenders, improved victim protection, and enhanced inter-agency coordination. It argues that strengthening legal and enforcement mechanisms is essential to disrupt trafficking networks, improve prosecution outcomes, and align national responses with global best practices in combating organ trafficking and protecting vulnerable populations.