Nigeria’s Human Capital Under Siege: Stakeholders Raise Alarm Over Rising Human Trafficking Scourge
A high-level symposium examining “Human Trafficking: Long-Term Menace in Nigeria, Effect on the Economy, and the Way Forward” was on Thursday held at the NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan. The event, organized by Oro Agba Media in partnership with the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), brought together government officials, development agencies, community leaders, and civil society stakeholders to discuss Nigeria’s growing trafficking crisis and chart sustainable solutions.
The symposium featured representatives from the National Orientation Agency (NOA), the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), and other strategic partners. Among the dignitaries in attendance were Hon. Oyepeju (Ara Oluyole Constituency), Prince Kayode Adeniyi, Kayode Alfred, and other notable personalities committed to social advocacy.
Prince Kayode Adeniyi, an APC stalwart and governorship aspirant, delivered one of the most compelling addresses of the day. Describing human trafficking as “the modern face of slavery,” Adeniyi warned that Nigeria stands to lose more than citizens — it risks losing its greatest assets: its youth and their potential.
He noted that traffickers often prey on vulnerable individuals desperate for economic survival or a perceived ‘better life’ abroad. According to him, “When trafficking rises, we lose more than people — we lose potential inventors, entrepreneurs, leaders, and the future workforce that can build our nation.”
Adeniyi proposed a range of practical interventions, including the creation of social enterprises and the expansion of youth employment programs. He called for stronger partnerships with training institutes, start-up accelerators, and empowerment platforms to equip young Nigerians with employable skills. He also emphasized the need for wide-ranging community education programs, noting that awareness remains one of the most effective tools against deception and exploitation.
Furthermore, he advocated coordinated action between law enforcement agencies and traditional rulers to improve community-level vigilance. He insisted that victims of trafficking must be met with rehabilitation, counseling, and reintegration — not stigma. “They are survivors, not criminals,” he said.
Mrs. Juliana Fasola, who represented SMEDAN, shed light on socioeconomic factors driving the trafficking epidemic. She identified corruption, unemployment, and widespread poverty as the major triggers that push young Nigerians into the hands of traffickers. Fasola explained that SMEDAN continues to reduce these vulnerabilities by supporting entrepreneurs through grants, business clinics, capacity-building workshops, and access to micro-finance. “When people have sustainable livelihoods at home, they become less desperate for risky opportunities abroad,” she remarked.
On her part, Mrs. Oladipo Mufiliat, Director of Orientation for NOA in Oyo State, reaffirmed the agency’s dedication to public enlightenment. She said the NOA continues to intensify grassroots campaigns warning citizens about fraudulent job offers, unregulated travel agents, and false promises of instant wealth overseas. “Community orientation is crucial because traffickers have now become more sophisticated, using digital platforms to lure unsuspecting Nigerians,” she said.
Also addressing participants, the Oyo State Commandant of NAPTIP, Kayode Alfred, issued a strong advisory to the public — especially young people. He urged them to acquire legitimate skills, verify all employment or travel offers, and report suspicious behavior promptly. Alfred warned that traffickers increasingly use subtle and deceptive recruitment methods, making vigilance essential. “If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” he cautioned.
The symposium ended with a unified call for increased collaboration among government agencies, traditional institutions, civil society, and the private sector. Stakeholders agreed that Nigeria’s fight against human trafficking must be rooted in awareness, empowerment, and sustained economic development if the nation hopes to protect its future workforce and safeguard its human capital.
The event underscored one critical message: human trafficking is not just a criminal issue — it is an economic threat, a social crisis, and a national emergency that demands urgent, collective action.