1.4m Nigerians trapped in modern slavery, says minister

Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has said that a staggering 1.4 million Nigerians are trapped in modern slavery. Speaking as Special Guest Speaker at the 2025 yearly academic summit at the University of Abuja, yesterday, the minister lamented that most victims of modern slavery were women and girls.

Citing the Global Slavery Index (2023), Sulaiman-Ibrahim revealed that Nigeria ranked among the top 10 countries with the highest number of trafficked persons.

In a statement signed by the Special Adviser to the Minister on Media and Publicity, Jonathan Eze, the minister referenced some statistics, which, according to her, do not do justice to the immense potential that the country holds.

He said: “Over 60 per cent of Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly are women and girls, many of whom are trafficked for forced labour or sexual exploitation.

“Reports indicate that over 50,000 Nigerian women are trapped in forced prostitution across Europe, particularly in Italy and Spain.

“The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 80 per cent of Nigerian women, who arrive in Europe through irregular routes are potential trafficking victims.”

The minister noted that the fight against illegal migration and girl-child trafficking was a fight for the soul of the nation, saying: “If we fail to act decisively, we risk losing an entire generation of young women to exploitation, violence and despair.”

“We are working with lawmakers to review and enhance protection laws for women and children, to close existing loopholes. I recently inaugurated a Committee to review the Child Rights Act of 2003”.

Earlier the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Aisha Sani Maikudi; the convener, Prof. Mutiullah Olasupo; former Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, and others set the tone by encouraging the students to face their studies and focus on a bright future.