Fake Jobs, Social Media Traps Expose Nigerian Children, Youths to Human Trafficking Risks
Human trafficking is increasingly exploiting Nigerian children and youths through the use of fake job offers, social media platforms and digital deception by criminal networks, who are using technology to recruit affected persons into forced online scams.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported that 156 Nigerians have been rescued from January to July 2026 and trafficked into organised online scam centres, lured with promises of legitimate employment abroad.
The agency says traffickers are now exploiting social media, encrypted messaging apps, bogus job sites and AI-generated content to lure young people with false promises of careers in technology, digital marketing, customer service, telecommunications and cryptocurrency trading.
NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello said that the profile of the affected persons is evolving and many of them are now educated and digitally literate young Nigerians. She said some of the victims travel abroad under the pretense of finding a real job, but end up being fooled.
Some of those affected are reportedly taken their passports away on arrival and forced to engage in online fraud activities under threats, violence and psychological pressure.
Bello revealed that the youngest victim of online trafficking rescued by the agency this year was 16 years old, showing how teenagers are increasingly being targeted by online trafficking.
Child protection advocates call for enhanced digital safety education for children and youth, verified opportunities and protection systems that enable children and youth to recognize fraudulent offers.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) emphasized that persons who are victims of scam compounds should be considered as persons affected by trafficking, since many of them are subjected to intimidation and coercion to engage in criminal activities.
Experts have urged for better partnership between government agencies, technology companies, schools and communities to safeguard the lives of young Nigerians from digital exploitation and human trafficking.
