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Biography

Femi Omotoso is a Professor of Political Science at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. He was formerly the Dean of the Faculty of the Social Sciences, Ekiti State University as well as a former Director, Ekiti State University Consultancy Services. He was at a time a visiting Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. He focuses on Political Behaviour, Federalism, and Governance. His papers have appeared in several reputable local and international journals as well as edited books.

Olayide Oladeji obtained his PhD in Political Science from Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Nigeria. He is presently a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Nigerian Army College of Education, Ilorin, Nigeria. He has research interests in citizenship, federalism, governance and development studies. His papers have appeared in several reputable journals as well as edited books.

Babatude Alokan graduated from the Ondo State University, Ado-Ekiti, in 1989. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, a master’s degree in International Relations from the same University, and an MBA from the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. Alokan, a seasoned administrator, is the Permanent Secretary in the Government House and Protocol Department, Governor’s Office, Ekiti State, Nigeria. Currently a Doctoral Student of International Relations at the Department of Political Science, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti.

Abstract

This study aimed to establish how socio-cultural and economic factors support the endemicity of child labour trafficking in Nigeria. The research was conducted among rural and urban households and stakeholders in southern Nigeria. A field survey was conducted in Ekiti, Edo, Kwara, Lagos, and Osun States. The study utilised cultural relativism and the margin of appreciation theories. The qualitative research approach used in-depth interviews, focus groups, and personal observation methods to collect data. Researchers interviewed 70 participants, including parents/guardians, stakeholders (government officials and private agency representatives), traffickers, trafficked children, and their employers. Societal context, especially the perception of child rights, plays an essential role in creating conditions in which child labour trafficking flourishes and constrains global efforts to eliminate the problem. Specifically, findings revealed that poverty, banditry/terrorism, religious practices, socialisation, fostering, cheap labour/urbanization, and materialism are key socio-economic factors contributing to the incidences of child labour trafficking in Nigeria. The paper concludes that international child labour trafficking continues because conditions within states maintain enabling environments for child rights violations. Consequently, understanding socio-cultural and economic contexts within states is essential to develop policies and practices that help curb or minimise the harm of international child labour trafficking.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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