Abstract

Whereas the trafficking of persons from several peripheral states to the west for ignoble purposes has attracted much attention from governments and non-governmental organizations across the globe, its replication at the local level is often ignored. The use of minors for domestic chores which often involves monetary exchange confers on the victims, a status which is less than human. This problem is the reason for the investigation into the practice of trafficking of minors to households in Lagos and other major cities in Nigeria as “house-helps”, with a view to understanding the factors responsible for the popularity of the practice. Through a content analysis of responses elicited from In-depth interviews with employers of house-helps, the paper argues that poor quality of life predisposes people to the practice and work patterns in urban centres create a ready market for persons trafficked for this purpose. Thus, the paper recommends the imposition of stringent penalties on human traffickers. It further recommends that the quality of life of rural dwellers be improved, with particular emphasis on empowerment through free and compulsory basic education.