The law prohibits child labour, forced labour, trafficking in slaves, pornography, drug trafficking, and forced or compulsory recruitment into armed conflict. It also provides a legal framework for the protection of the rights of victims of trafficking, protects the identity of victims and their right to press charges against traffickers, as well as provides access to health and social services. Foreign nationals who are victims of trafficking are granted a temporary resident permit.

Section 1 (1) of the Act establishes a multi-dimensional crime fighting instrument known as the National Agency for Prohibition of Traffic in Persons and Other Related Matters (NAPTIP). The law was subsequently amended by Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration (Amendment) Act, in 2005, in order to convert some of the enforcement powers of the Agency into practical actions. Accordingly, NAPTIT compromises four specialized units: Investigation, Prosecution, Counselling and Rehabilitation and Public Enlightenment.

The Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Law Enforcement and Administration Act (2003) was amended in 2005.