Combating the “New Slavery” in Nigeria: An Appraisal of Legal and Policy Responses to Human Trafficking

Abstract

This article examines the legal and policy responses of the Nigerian government and other agencies to human trafficking, which is one of the central social and economic challenges facing the country today. After exploring the nature and dimensions of the practice, it argues that Nigeria's unenviable position as a country of origin, transit and destination in human trafficking, as well as the impact of the practice on the lives of the victims and adverse implications for the country's corporate image, make it imperative that effective measures are adopted to combat it. In this respect, while accepting that legal measures are important in achieving the objective, the article highlights some deficiencies in current efforts and suggests a multidimensional approach, with greater emphasis on the “push” and “pull” factors of human trafficking prevalent in the country, such as high levels of unemployment, poverty, inequality and marginalization.