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During the Sustainable Reintegration for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (SuReViTH) Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting with government…

During the Sustainable Reintegration for Victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (SuReViTH) Stakeholders Roundtable Meeting with government bodies, Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and others, Cocreate Humanitarian Aid lamented the plight of Nigerians trafficked to Italy and other parts of the world. It said families are giving out their brood for as low as ₦30,000, equivalent to $20. It revealed that many victims of Trafficking in Human Beings (THB) in Nigeria receive limited support upon escaping traffickers, with some finding assistance at shelters, while others do not. Available resources, both financial and otherwise, for long-term care and sustainable reintegration of THB victims are limited.

In its 2023 trafficking in persons country report on Nigeria, the US State Department began with a damning opener: “The Government of Nigeria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking,” a blow which was only softened by an acknowledgement that it is making significant efforts to do so. Nigeria’s woeful economic development has served to render such efforts inadequate. In contrast to developed countries where trafficking often involves coercion or violence, Nigeria’s trafficking problem is primarily driven by economic factors. Driven by desperation, families are reported to entrust their loved ones to traffickers for meagre sums, exposing them to exploitation and danger. Cocreate Humanitarian Aid has observed that families are willingly selling their loved ones for as little as $20 as a result of this dire economic situation. A vast number of such persons are women and girls. The State Department’s report noted that the Nigerian government identified 1,634 trafficking victims, including 841 sex trafficking victims, 543 labour trafficking victims, and 250 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking; compared with 935 victims in the previous reporting period. Of the 841 sex trafficking victims, however, 763 were women, four were men; 67 were girls and seven were boys. Of the 543 labour trafficking victims, 183 were men, 290 were women, 17 were boys, and 53 were girls. Of the 250 victims of unspecified forms of trafficking, all were children, including 65 boys and 185 girls. The recent rightward shift in European politics, influenced by anxieties about migration from Africa and Asia, presents daunting challenges for both legal and illegal migrants, particularly those from Nigeria. This political swing could usher in stricter immigration policies, potentially impacting their reception, integration, and legal pathways for seeking refuge. Further complicating the situation is the involvement of some Nigerian groups in organised crime within Italy. This association, while not representative of the entire Nigerian community, creates negative perceptions and fuels public anxieties. The plight of Nigerians trafficked to Italy, as highlighted by Cocreate Humanitarian Aid, serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities migrants face. There is a lot the government can do in this regard; and since a number of the victims are taken from conflict-ridden areas, its efforts must be focused on those areas. Per the report’s recommendations, efforts must be made to hold complicit officials and individuals affiliated with the government―including security officials and Civilian Joint Task Force members―criminally accountable for trafficking offences, including for the sex trafficking of IDPs and past forced recruitment or use of child soldiers. There is also the need to strengthen efforts to identify trafficking victims among vulnerable groups, such as children in religious schools, IDPs, returning migrants, and children in domestic service. As Cocreate points out, resources for long-term care and reintegration of trafficking victims remain limited. Government and international organisations must provide more robust support systems for survivors, both in Italy and upon their return to Nigeria. Also, collaborative efforts between Nigerian and Italian authorities are crucial to disrupt trafficking networks and bring perpetrators to justice. Additionally, NGOs and human rights organisations need to actively advocate for fair and humane treatment of migrants, regardless of their background or origin. Constructive dialogue with elected officials and their supporters is essential to dispel negative stereotypes and promote understanding of the diverse realities faced by Nigerian migrants. Effectively addressing these challenges requires a collaborative effort from various stakeholders: Governments, NGOs, international organisations, and community leaders. They should also foster positive interactions between migrants and local communities and expand legal migration options that can provide safe and orderly alternatives to dangerous irregular journeys.