A decade after Nigeria enacted the landmark Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act (VAPP Act) on May 25, 2015, a recent national survey has revealed that more than half of Nigerian population remain unaware of its existence.
The law, which was designed to address gender-based violence and other forms of abuse, has now been adopted in 35 out of the country’s 36 states—with Kano State remaining a holdout. Yet the findings raise serious concerns about the law’s impact and accessibility.
The survey also revealed that of the 35 states and the FCT assessed, 23 have established sex offenders’ registers, while only 18 have integrated these into broader GBV tracking systems.
The findings, published by Invictus Africa, emerged from a nationwide mixed-methods study that included both key informant interviews with officials in relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as a cross-sectional survey of 11,574 Nigerians across diverse backgrounds. The study was designed to evaluate the VAPP Act’s implementation through four interlinked areas: public awareness, enforcement systems, survivor support services, and institutional coordination.
Public awareness emerged as one of the most concerning gaps. Only 49.3% of respondents reported having heard of the VAPP Act. Among this group, a mere 29% indicated they understood its provisions well.
The disparities in awareness was most prominent along lines of education, geography, and occupation. Nigerians with no formal education or only primary schooling were far less likely to know about the Act than university graduates and postgraduates. Similarly, people living in rural areas showed much lower awareness (42.9%) compared to urban residents (54%). Civil servants and NGO workers demonstrated the highest awareness levels, while the self-employed, students, and unemployed populations showed the least.
The findings show the inadequacy of existing outreach efforts. Although government agencies claim to have carried out public awareness campaigns, the data suggests these efforts are poorly targeted, inconsistently delivered, or fail to resonate with the audiences most in need of protection.
“Laws are only as powerful as their implementation,” said Bukky Shonibare, Executive Director of Invictus Africa. “A decade after the VAPP Act, we must move from intention to action- from passage to protection.”
Enforcement mechanisms also reflect a mixed picture. While 23 states have established sex offenders’ registers, only 18 have integrated them into broader gender-based violence tracking systems. This limits the utility for preventing repeat offenses and informing more effective policies. Even though courts in 32 states are empowered to issue Protection Orders, 19 states could not provide any data on such issuances-highlighting troubling lapses in record-keeping and oversight.
Mandatory reporting clauses exist in 30 states but 15 of those have no penalties for non-compliance, reducing the deterrent effect. Notably, states that enforce penalties for non-reporting had a higher prosecution rate (67%) compared to 50% in states without such penalties.
Among those aware of the VAPP Act, nearly 70% believe their state has improved its response to gender-based violence.
However, the same group identified major challenges reducing progress: lack of public awareness (68.1%), inadequate funding (43.7%), and weak enforcement (39.2%). These figures reveal a complex picture where structural issues continue to hinder the law’s full implementation.
Survivor support services are similarly underdeveloped. While 30 states and the FCT have established Sexual Assault Referral Centres or shelters, six states still offer no such facilities. Only 54% of respondents said they were aware of any survivor support mechanisms in their state. The awareness gap is even more pronounced among vulnerable populations. Among rural residents, only 46.7% knew where to seek help, and among those with only primary education, awareness plummeted to just 27.2%.
Though some immediate needs are being addressed- such as medical care (available in 26 states) and psychosocial counseling (available in 25)-long-term services are sorely lacking. Only 18 states offer legal aid, and a mere 15 provide reintegration support. This leaves many survivors unable to pursue justice or rebuild their lives after experiencing violence.
Financial constraints also obstruct access to support services. Twenty-five states report cost barriers despite 22 claiming to offer free medical care for gender-based violence cases. Hidden expenses, narrow service scopes, and limited public knowledge all undermine these efforts. Forensic services, essential for effective prosecution, are always available in only eight states. Most others describe such access as inconsistent or irregular.
Another critical issue is the sustainability of survivor support. Only 15 states have established victim support funds, and 13 of these rely solely on state budgets. Without contributions from the private sector or international donors, the long-term viability of these services remains uncertain.
Institutional coordination, the final area examined by the study, shows significant gaps. Although 27 states have formal structures to enforce the VAPP Law, nine states have none. This absence of leadership frameworks hinders accountability and consistent service delivery. Moreover, five states have not appointed VAPP Coordinators, and 17 lack designated Protection Officers as mandated by the Act.
Even among the states that claim coordination, standards are uneven. Only 21 states regulate service providers through formal accreditation, and just 16 maintain updated provider registers. Nine states lack operational guidelines for service delivery altogether, resulting in unpredictable practices and outcomes for survivors.
Invictus Africa’s report concludes with a strong call to action. The organization urges a four-pronged strategy: intensifying inclusive public education campaigns, enhancing enforcement with better monitoring and penalties, expanding access to holistic survivor support, and institutionalizing coordination through clearly defined roles and processes.
“This data gives us the clarity we need to build a safer, more just Nigeria for all,” said Shonibare.