Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to stay alert and report online scams that are increasingly being used to lure young people into human trafficking.
In a statement issued on Thursday to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, observed annually on July 30, the First Lady described human trafficking as a modern form of slavery that has expanded beyond traditional methods to include online fraud, forced criminal activities and transnational organised crime.
She noted that this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights the growing use of deceptive online schemes to recruit victims, particularly educated young Nigerians, through fake foreign job opportunities and fraudulent investment offers that ultimately lead to exploitation and forced criminality.
Calling for greater public awareness, Tinubu appealed to individuals, communities and institutions to remain watchful as traffickers continue to adopt new tactics.
She said, “Let us remain vigilant, protect the vulnerable, and ensure that no one falls victim to exploitation.
“Through collective action, we can build a safer society where every person can live in freedom, dignity, and hope. We say ‘no’ to human trafficking today.”
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The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2013 and is observed every July 30 to raise awareness about the plight of trafficking victims while promoting and protecting their rights.
Nigeria continues to rank among the countries most affected by human trafficking, functioning as a source, transit and destination country for victims.
Data from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) shows that about 156 victims have been rescued since January 2026, while more than 300 others were repatriated from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire in 2025.
Last week, NAPTIP Director-General Binta Adamu Bello disclosed that more than 300,000 people are trafficked into scam compounds across Southeast Asia each year, where they are forced under threats of violence to operate romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud and investment schemes targeting victims in countries including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.
According to the agency, one of the fastest-growing trafficking patterns involves educated young Nigerians being deceived with promises of jobs in information technology, digital marketing and cryptocurrency trading. Upon arriving abroad, their passports are allegedly confiscated before they are compelled to engage in online fraud.