Socio-Cultural Factors and Human Trafficking in Nigeria

Human trafficking has become a serious global phenomenon and is drawing increasing attention from every quarter. The irony, however, is that as much as efforts are made towards curbing the inhumane act, the geometric rise in human trafficking is alarming and disturbing. The study argues that culture plays very significant roles in the proliferation of trafficking in persons. Moreover, as true as it may appear that trafficking is frowned at in contemporary times, the dynamic nature of culture and underlying worldviews continue to advance the cause and practice of human trafficking. Using selected cultures in Nigeria to back up its claims, the research contends that intrinsic to most Nigerian cultures are un-weeded roots that enhance the practice of trafficking in persons. These are deep cultural practices, which have sunk deeper to the worldview level, and as such, they are quite difficult to eradicate. The way forward proposed by the study is cultural revamping, which can be achieved formally and informally. In the same vein, it is a passionate appeal for intercultural intelligence.