Nigeria faces modern slavery crisis, with 1.6 million victims

Modern slavery remains a pervasive issue in Nigeria, despite the mistaken belief that the practice has been abolished. The Global Slavery Index (GSI) 2023 report highlights Nigeria's vulnerability, estimating that 1.6 million individuals were living in modern slavery in 2021. This translates to a prevalence rate of 7.8 people for every 1,000 in the country, making it one of the most affected nations in Africa.

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someone does not have to be in chains and ferried across the Atlantic Ocean or Sahara Desert to be a slave. They become slaves when transaction is made with them as commodities.

The report commends Nigeria for taking steps to support survivors and address risk factors, yet the scale of the problem is stark. The GSI places Nigeria among the most vulnerable countries in Africa and notes a high prevalence of modern slavery within the region. The affected individuals are predominantly forced into domestic, industrial, and commercial labor, as well as exploitative marriages or are given to relatives under deceptive pretenses.

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Nigeria is among the most vulnerable countries to modern slavery in Africa and has the fifth highest prevalence of modern slavery in the region.

Nigeria's role in the modern slavery network is particularly concerning as it serves as a source, transit, and destination country. Young women are frequently lured by traffickers with promises of jobs in North Africa and the Middle East, only to be subjected to domestic servitude or sexual exploitation. These victims often embark on perilous journeys across the Sahara Desert, unaware of the full extent of the predicament they will face.

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In effect, there is prevalence of 7.8 people in modern slavery for every 1000 people in the country.

The definition of modern slavery, as per the Slavery Convention of the League of Nations, involves the exercise of ownership rights over a person, or a situation of exploitation that cannot be refused or left due to threats, violence, coercion, deception, or abuse of power. This exploitation can occur with or without the victim's prior knowledge, but often begins with deception about the true nature of their situation. The pervasive nature of this issue across Africa, where over seven percent of the population are victims, underscores the continent's significant challenge with modern slavery.

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No human being deserves to be a slave at any time, going by the definition of modern slavery, ‘the status or condition of a person over whom any or all of the powers attaching to the right of ownership are exercised.’