HUMAN TRAFFICKING, CHILD LABOUR AND THE GROWING MENACE OF OUT-OF-SCHOOL CHILDREN IN NIGERIA:: ISSUES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Nigeria, and indeed, many countries in the Sub-Saharan African region is continually plagued with cases of human trafficking, child labour, growing menace of ‘Out-of-School’ children, as well as other related social vices, particularly in recent times. However, findings from contemporary research have shown that the aforementioned challenges are linked to increased rate of unemployment, growing poverty, rising cases of insecurity, as well as mismanagement and maladministration on the part of government. The objective of this paper, therefore, is to determine the interplay among these variables and its implication for sustainable Human Capital Development in Nigeria. Data for this study were obtained from both primary and secondary sources. The study is anchored on Social Contract Theory as a framework for analysis. Findings show that the inability of Nigerian government to fulfill her part of the Social Contract is largely responsible for the proliferation of human trafficking, child labour, growing menace of ‘Out-of-School’ children, as well as other related social vices in the country. It concludes that policy makers, law enforcement agents and Human Rights Activists have not done enough to remedy these negative social development effects. This paper recommends that there is need for effective legislation on the part of policy makers and prompt actions on the part of law enforcement agents to curb this anomaly and forestall future occurrences.