ActionAid Nigeria has called on the Federal Government to investigate the alleged exploitation of young Nigerian women recruited under Russia’s Alabuga Start Programme, following reports that participants were deceived with promises of education, professional training and well-paid jobs.

 

The organisation expressed concern that some of the recruits were allegedly subjected to unsafe working conditions and involved in the production of military drones after arriving in Russia.

 

In a statement signed by ActionAid Country Director, Andrew Mamedu the organisation decried reports linking Konstantin Trifonov, a senior recruiter associated with the programme, to Telegram channels allegedly promoting child sexual abuse material.

 

It said although the allegations require independent investigation, they are serious enough to warrant urgent action by Nigerian and international authorities.

 

They maintained that any involvement in the production, possession, distribution or promotion of child sexual abuse material constitutes a grave violation of children’s rights and should be met with legal accountability.

 

The organisation said through its Reintegration and Empowerment for Connecting and Nurturing Opportunities of Vulnerable Populations and Returning Migrants (RECONNECT) Project, it has supported returning migrants, survivors of trafficking, vulnerable women, internally displaced persons and survivors of domestic violence.

 

According to the organisation, the experiences of beneficiaries reveal the physical, psychological, social and economic consequences of deceptive recruitment and exploitation, with many victims returning home traumatised, indebted and stigmatised.

 

Citing data from the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), ActionAid said 14,787 Nigerians returned home safely through the agency’s programmes in 2025, while another 7,825 had been assisted by June 2026. It added that since 2017, more than 65,700 Nigerians have returned safely, with over 52,200 receiving reintegration support.

 

Mamedu regretted that poverty, unemployment and limited economic opportunities continue to expose young Nigerians to deceptive recruiters.

 

He stressed that victims should not be blamed for falling prey to traffickers, insisting that those responsible for trafficking and exploitation must be investigated and prosecuted.

 

He said the reported recruitment should also be viewed within the context of the growing “Japa” trend, which has seen many young Nigerians seeking better opportunities abroad.

 

While acknowledging that migration is a legitimate choice, he warned that worsening economic conditions, unemployment, insecurity and weak regulation of foreign recruitment have increased the vulnerability of many Nigerians to trafficking and exploitation.

 

He also cited World Bank estimates showing that 63 per cent of Nigerians were living below the national poverty line in 2025 after an additional seven million people fell into poverty during the year.

 

According to him, creating decent jobs, strengthening social protection and expanding economic opportunities, particularly for women, youths, persons with disabilities and displaced populations, remain critical to preventing unsafe migration and human trafficking.

 

ActionAid called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) to investigate recruitment activities linked to the Alabuga Start Programme in Nigeria.

 

It also urged the government to identify Nigerians participating in the programme, assess their welfare and provide consular assistance, legal support, psychosocial care and voluntary repatriation where necessary.

 

The organisation further called for stricter regulation of foreign employment schemes, recruitment agencies, travel facilitators and online advertisements targeting young Nigerians.

 

They also appealed to the ECOWAS Commission, African Union, European Union, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Russian authorities and other relevant institutions to support an independent investigation into the recruitment practices and the allegations involving Trifonov.

 

It said such collaboration should focus on protecting potential victims, preserving evidence and ensuring that any individuals or organisations found culpable are held accountable.

 

The organisation reaffirmed its solidarity with survivors of trafficking and exploitation and called for a survivor-centred approach that guarantees access to justice, recovery and sustainable reintegration.