Women Affairs Minister Calls for Collective Action Against Human Trafficking and Illegal Migration
Oru Leonard
The Honourable Minister of Women Affairs, Hajiya Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has called for a collaborative effort to address the pressing issues of human trafficking and illegal migration in Nigeria. Speaking at the University of Abuja’s Faculty of Social Sciences 2025 Annual Academic Summit, the Minister emphasized the need for quality education, economic empowerment, and policy-driven interventions to prevent vulnerable girls from falling into the hands of traffickers.
The Minister highlighted alarming statistics, including Nigeria’s ranking among the top 10 countries with the highest number of trafficked persons, with an estimated 1.4 million Nigerians trapped in modern slavery. She also noted that over 60% of Nigerians attempting to migrate irregularly are women and girls, many of whom are trafficked for forced labor or sexual exploitation.
To address these challenges, the Minister outlined the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs’ Strategic Roadmap, which includes strengthening legal frameworks, expanding safe spaces and psycho-social support centers, enhancing economic opportunities, and implementing community support programs for at-risk girls.
The Minister urged universities, higher institutions, students, youth organizations, religious and traditional leaders, and civil society organizations to join forces with the government to combat human trafficking and illegal migration. She emphasized that education holds the key to breaking the cycle of trafficking and illegal migration, and that quality and functional university education must be practical, relevant, and empowering.
(FMWA Press)