The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, has made a powerful appeal to Nigerian women, urging them to join hands in the fight against human trafficking—a menace that continues to exploit young girls under the guise of better job opportunities abroad.
Speaking during a working visit to Ogun State at the Safe Centre and Women Development Centre, Abeokuta, Sulaiman-Ibrahim expressed deep concern that many Nigerian girls remain stranded in foreign countries, trapped in situations far from the promises made to them.
Protecting Our Daughters
The minister stressed the critical role mothers and communities play in safeguarding young women, noting that awareness is key to prevention.
“Our daughters are being trafficked for all sorts of demeaning and criminal activities. Let’s hold them close and create better opportunities for them here in Nigeria,” she said.
She called on women to champion sensitisation campaigns that would discourage illegal migration and ensure that those who seek opportunities abroad do so through the right channels.
Women as Nation Builders
Sulaiman-Ibrahim highlighted that women are central to Nigeria’s growth and must not be lost to exploitation.
“When they go out under false promises, who will help us build the country? Nigerian women are hardworking and have the potential to become billionaires, entrepreneurs, and professionals in every field,” she noted.
She also applauded President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to women’s empowerment, pointing out that the increased budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Women Affairs is already creating opportunities that align with Nigeria’s vision of achieving a $1 trillion economy.
Support for Ogun State
In support of Ogun State’s efforts in empowering women, the minister donated bags of rice and ₦2 million in cash, commending the state government’s dedication to women’s development.
The State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Adijat Adeleye, also shared how the Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) across Abeokuta, Sagamu, Ijebu Ode, and Ilaro are transforming lives.
According to her, these centres not only provide healing spaces for survivors of gender-based violence but also offer vocational training in catering, fashion, hairdressing, barbing, make-up, and entrepreneurship—giving women a path toward independence.
“When a woman walks out of the SARC, she should not only be healing but also building. She should leave with dignity, financial literacy, and a skill to create a new future,” Adeleye affirmed.
The Bigger Picture
This call by Minister Sulaiman-Ibrahim is a reminder that fighting human trafficking is not just the responsibility of government agencies but of every Nigerian mother, sister, and community leader. With collective action, stronger awareness, and sustainable opportunities at home, Nigeria can drastically reduce the vulnerabilities that traffickers prey upon.
