CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION                                                                                

1.1       Background to the Study                                                                               1

1.2       Statement of the Problem of the Study                                                          7

1.3       Research Questions                                                                                         8

1.4       Significance of the Study                                                                               9

1.5       Delimitation of the Study                                                                               10

1.6       Definition of Terms                                                                                        10

CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW                                                      

2.1       Theoretical background                                                                                  11

2.1.1    Human Rights Theory                                                                                     11

2.1.2    Social Learning Theory                                                                                   13

2.2       Conceptual Review                                                                                         14

2.2.1    The Concept of Human Trafficking                                                               14

2.2.2    Trends in Human Trafficking                                                                         25

2.2.3    Nature of Human Trafficking in the Nigeria                                                  30

2.2.4    Causes of Human Trafficking in Nigeria                                                        33

2.2.4.1 Poverty                                                                                                            33

2.2.4.2 Illiteracy                                                                                                          35

2.2.4.3 Unemployment                                                                                               36

2.2.4.4 Corruption                                                                                                       37

2.2.4.5 Greed                                                                                                              37

2.2.4.6 Peer Group Pressures                                                                                      38

2.2.4.7 Demand for Female Prostitution                                                                    39

2.2.4.8 Broken Home                                                                                                  39

2.2.5    Strategies to Curb Human Trafficking                                                           40

2.3       Review of Previous Studies                                                                            45

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY                                                 

3.1       Research Design                                                                                             54

3.2       Population                                                                                                       54

3.3       Sample and Sampling Techniques                                                                  54

3.4       Research Instrument                                                                                       55

3.5       Procedure for Data Collection                                                                        55

3.6       Method of Data Analysis                                                                               55

CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS                      

4.1       Demographic Distribution of Respondents                                                    56

4.2       Analysis of Research Questions                                                                     59

4.2.1    Research Question 1: What are the causes of human trafficking in               Nigeria?                                                                                                           59

4.2.2    Research Question 2   What are the various strategies needed for                             curbing human trafficking?                                                                             62

4.2.3    Research Question 3: Is there any significant difference in male and                        female respondents’ opinion on strategies needed for curbing trafficking?            64

4.2.4    Research Question 4: Is there any significant difference in respondents’                       opinion on the causes of human trafficking in Nigeria based on gender?      65

4.3       Summary of Findings                                                                                     65

CHAPTER FIVE: DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1       Discussion of Findings                                                                                   67

5.2       Conclusion                                                                                                      71

5.3       Recommendations                                                                                          72

References                                                                                                                  74

Appendix                                                                                                                    83

Dignity of human beings is sometimes not respected when desperate attempts are made to make ends meet. Human beings are bought and sold just like goods and services in diverse parts of the world. This illicit trafficking of human beings across different nations of the world has received considerable attention from political and religious leaders as well as non-government organizations. It is considered to be the third largest source of profit for organized crime apart from drugs and arms. Thus, this study examined the strategies for curbing human trafficking in Nigeria.

            This study utilized descriptive survey research design involving the use of quantitative methods. The study population consist of all male and female adults in Ijebu-North Local Government Area of Ogun State. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 100 respondents for the study. Well-structured questionnaire designed in line with the research questions was used to gather information from the selected participants.  The questionnaires administered were analysed using simple percentage, mean, standard deviation and T-test analysis at 0.05 level of significance with the aid of Statistical for Social Science Package (SPSS version 23).

            Findings from the study revealed that lack of awareness on human trafficking is a major cause of human trafficking in Nigeria, also non-implementation of adequate human trafficking law, porous borders which give rooms for illegal migration and government unwillingness to fight human trafficking are causes of human trafficking in Nigeria. Result also showed strategies needed to curb human trafficking in Nigeria as putting in place anti-human trafficking legislation, parents whether literate or illiterate should take proper care of their children, adequate plans for re-integrating the victims of human trafficking and implementation of genuine poverty alleviation programme in Nigeria.

            This study concludes that there are several causes of human trafficking in Nigeria while there are also strategies that needs to be put in place to overcome and eradicate the causes. The study revealed that there was statistically significant difference in male and female respondents’ opinion on strategies needed for curbing human trafficking in Nigeria. However, there was no statistically significant difference in male and female respondents’ opinion on the causes of human trafficking in Nigeria. 

            Based on the findings, the study recommended that community members and especially parents in target communities should be sensitized about the effects of human trafficking. The Federal Government should make efforts to create more jobs for the youth so as to keep them from vices.