Our Narrative // Established 2004

Standing For Dignity & Opportunity

For over two decades, SEYP has worked directly in Benin City, Nigeria—empowering youth, supporting returnees, and constructing community safety nets to prevent irregular migration and outbound trafficking.

What is SEYP? Anti-Trafficking NGO History and Mission

The Society for the Empowerment of Young Persons (SEYP) is a Nigerian non-governmental organization founded in 2004 in Benin City, Edo State. SEYP works to prevent human trafficking and irregular migration by providing emergency shelter, psychosocial care, vocational training, and entrepreneurship programs to vulnerable youth, trafficking survivors, and persons with disabilities.

OUR MISSION

To Empower and Restore

To empower vulnerable young persons and communities in Nigeria through protection, prevention, skills development, and reintegration support — enabling them to live with dignity, opportunity, and resilience.

OUR VISION

A Future of Independence

A Nigeria where no young person is trafficked, displaced, or left without the tools to build a sustainable livelihood.

Underpinning Principles

Our Core Values

Every program, partnership, and intervention is governed by these foundational guidelines.

Dignity

Every person we serve is treated as a full human being — not a statistic, not a charity case, not a victim label.

Accountability

We document everything. We report transparently. We own our mistakes and we fix them.

Courage

We work in difficult contexts — trafficking survivor support, displaced communities, disability inclusion — because that is where the need is.

Resilience

We teach it because we live it. SEYP has navigated 22 years of institutional growth in a challenging environment.

Inclusion

Our programmes deliberately reach the marginalised — PWDs, IDPs, female returnees, at-risk youth — because the most vulnerable deserve the most intentional support.

Partnership

We believe in collaboration. We bring local knowledge; our partners bring global frameworks. Together, we deliver more than either could alone.

Our Journey

Key Milestones (2004–2026)

An overview of SEYP's foundational developments, partnerships, and programmatic growth.

2004

SEYP Founded

Established in Benin City, Edo State, by Mrs. Jennifer Ero. Initiated structural work to address trafficking vulnerabilities and build youth empowerment structures.

2021

Swiss Embassy Production Centre

Mrs. Jennifer Ero led the establishment of the Adire Textile and Indigo dyed cloth production centre in Auchi. The Otaru of Auchi donated land. Trained 150 women and youth.

Sep 2021

Mrs. Jennifer Ero Passes Away

SEYP's founding Executive Director passes away suddenly during project implementation. Her daughter, Victoria Omo-Ero, is appointed Executive Director, taking over her mother's mission.

2021

GIZ / GOPA SEDIN Partnership

SEYP selected as primary implementing partner for the ICSS Entrepreneurship Development Programme in Edo State. Phase 1 and 2 trained 846 persons. Three beneficiaries win NGN 250,000 grants from Leading Ladies Africa. (Source: SEYP-GIZ SEDIN Project Report, 2022)

2022

Business Formalization

204 businesses formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC); 84 Tax Identification Numbers (TINs) obtained, and 95 business accounts opened.

2023

Expanding School Prevention

SEA-Hub entrepreneurship clubs launched in 16 secondary schools (627+ students). Signed COSUDOW partnership to provide vocational training and NABTEB registration to potential migrants.

2024

Disability Inclusion (GIZ)

68 Persons with Disabilities complete the 30-day ICSS program. Over 85% develop structured business plans. Co-facilitated IOM SIYB training in Lagos for returnees.

2025

GI-TOC Resilience Project

Implements EUR 16,550 survivor empowerment project. 20 survivors complete 6-month internships, and 10 receive micro-grants of NGN 570,500 each. Expanded Gamesville Foundation partnership.

2026

Media Sensitization & NYSC

6-month Vibes FM radio campaign reaches ~1.5 million listeners across 3 states. Sponsored NYSC SDGs project, donating a 180-litre biodigester to Federal Government Girls' College, Benin City.

Omo-Ero Victoria Osasenaga portrait
Executive Address

A Message From Victoria Omo-Ero

"Our partnership with GIZ has created immense opportunities for both young school leavers and older entrepreneurs. We are committed to applying every knowledge gained to build sustainable businesses and avoid the mistakes that lead people to despair."

Taking the baton from Mrs. Jennifer Ero was more than a responsibility; it was a commitment to continue building. Today, SEYP has evolved from localized advocacy in Edo State into a verified implementer collaborating across Rivers, Lagos, and Ogun States. We continue to prioritize accountability and courage in our operations.

Victoria Omo-Ero — Executive Director, SEYP (2024 PWD Graduation Address)