“Human Trafficking Is Real, As Christmas And New Year Approaches, Youths Be Vigilant About Fake Promises!”.
As the year 2025 comes to a close, young people in South Eastern Nigeria are reflecting on their aspirations and goals for the future. Many are eager to pursue careers in fields like technology, engineering, and entrepreneurship, driven by the region’s growing economy and increasing access to education
However, despite these opportunities, youth unemployment remains a significant challenge in the region. Many young Nigerians face limited job prospects, inadequate infrastructure, and societal barriers that hinder their ability to achieve their goals.
To address these issues, the Nigerian government has launched initiatives like the Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme, aimed at equipping young people with skills and resources to start their own businesses. Additionally, organizations are promoting STEM education, especially for girls, to bridge the gender gap and foster economic growth.
The United Nations Convention on the rights of a Child (1989), a Child means every human being below the age of 18 years. The same 18 year old benchmark was adopted in the Child Rights Act 2003.
Trafficking on the other hand is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receiving of persons, by means of threat, or use of force, or other forms of coercion, abduction, fraud, deception, abuse of power or of giving or receiving payments and benefits to achieve the consent of a person having control over another person for the purpose of exploitation.
Therefore, Child Trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring, or receipt in kidnapping of a child for the purpose of adoption, exploitation, forced labour or slavery.
Child trafficking is a serious issue in south east Nigeria, with devastating consequences for the victims. The region is one of the hotspots for human trafficking in the country, with many children being exploited for forced labor, sexual abuse, and other forms of exploitation.
Many families in the region struggle with poverty, making their children vulnerable to traffickers who promise better lives or financial rewards.
Limited access to education makes children easy targets for traffickers who lure them with false promises.
Children from broken or dysfunctional families are more susceptible to trafficking.
Natural disasters, conflicts, or economic instability can displace families, making children more vulnerable to trafficking ¹.
The Consequences of Child Trafficking are many children are forced into prostitution or other forms of sexual abuse. Children are exploited for domestic work, agriculture, or other forms of labor.
Victims often suffer physical and emotional trauma, leading to long-term psychological damage.
Trafficked children often miss out on education and other opportunities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
The Nigerian government has established the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) to combat human trafficking.
The agency has rescued several children from trafficking syndicates, including recent operations in Niger State.
Some of the key factors influencing youth aspirations in South Eastern Nigeria include access to quality education and vocational training can significantly impact young people’s career choices and opportunities, financial assistance and encouragement from family members can play a crucial role in shaping youth aspirations, societal expectations and gender roles can influence young people’s decisions about education, career, and migration, availability of jobs, entrepreneurship opportunities, and access to resources can shape youth aspirations and goals.
By understanding these factors, policymakers and stakeholders can develop targeted interventions to support young people in achieving their aspirations and driving economic growth in the region.
Human trafficking is a significant issue in Nigeria, particularly in the South Eastern region. The region has been plagued by insecurity, with estimates suggesting over 2,000 people executed or disappeared since 2015. This crisis has devastating effects on human lives and property, with many youths feeling disenfranchised and vulnerable to exploitation.
Human trafficking affects Nigerian youths, particularly girls and women, who are often lured into exploitative situations. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) and other organizations are working to combat trafficking and support victims
As the year ends, addressing these issues is crucial. Initiatives like the Adolescent Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) aim to improve education and economic prospects for young people, especially girls.
Girl child trafficking is a serious issue, especially in South East Nigeria. Many girls are lured with false promises of education, jobs, or better lives, only to be exploited for domestic work, sex trafficking, or forced marriage.
Some key factors contributing to girl child trafficking poverty and economic inequality, limited access to education and opportunities, cultural practices like child, marriage, lack of awareness and support systems
Organizations like Nigeria Conference of Women Religious against Human Trafficking Onitsha Province, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and local NGOs are working to combat trafficking and support survivors. They provide rescue and rehabilitation services counseling and medical support, education and vocational training and awareness-raising campaigns.
Speaking with Reverend Sister Jacinta Chekwube, leader of Nigeria Conference of Women Religious Against Human Trafficking, Onitsha Province on the role of her organization in combatting human trafficking in the region she said “our organization has championed the course against human trafficking in South Eastern in particular and in Nigeria in general. We held workshops for Priests and religious on understanding human trafficking at Domus Sancti Enugu on the 14th June, at Boracc Onitsha on the 6th July and at Cor Mariae Secondary School, Obukpa Nsukka this year, 2025”.
“For more elaborating campaigns against human trafficking, the Nigeria Conference of Women Religious Against Human Trafficking Onitsha Province has sponsored live radio programmes with children, and places jingle slots against human trafficking in virtually all the radio stations in south eastern Nigeria”.
We have organized public enlightenment campaigns against the human trafficking public arena and in churches, and shared printed posters and flyers with the inscription BEWARE OF FALSE PROMISES! VERIFY JOB OFFERS AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE LEAVING YOUR HOME! REACH OUT TO THE COMPANY AND REVIEW!”
To elucidate further she said “we also send the messages through advice/warning in local Ịgbo language “Á Ga m akpọpu gị Obodo Oyịbo, Ma Ọ Bụ Nye gị Ọrụ gá éme gị Ọgaranya, ọ nwere ịke bụrụ ọkwu ndị jị mmadụ Atụ mgbere ahịa; Ka ánya sààà!” Sister Chekwube concluded.
