SLAVERY: Nigeria Ranked 23rd Position In World Statistics

According to the findings conducted on 167 most populous countries and released on Tuesday, Nigeria ranks 23 in 2016.

The flagship research report giving rise to the 2016 estimate was published by the Walk Free Foundation which stated that the 45.8 population are enslaved through human trafficking, forced labour, debt bondage, forced or servile marriage or commercial sexual exploitation.

North Korea is the country with the greatest prevalence of modern slavery, with 4.37% of its population estimated to be enslaved. It is also the country with the weakest government response in terms of actions taken to combat modern slavery. The next highest prevalence of slavery is found in Uzbekistan (3.97%), followed by Cambodia (1.65%).

In terms of absolute numbers, India remains the highest with an estimated 18.35 million enslaved people, followed by China (3.39m), Pakistan (2.13m), Bangladesh (1.53m) and Uzbekistan (1.23m). Combined, these five countries account for almost 58% of the world’s enslaved, or 26.6 million people.

Meanwhile, since the index started, only a few countries have taken strong actions to address the menace. Among these countries are Netherlands ranking topmost, the United States of America ranking second, the United Kingdom third, Sweden ranks fourth, with Australia fifth on the table.

Sadly, countries with the highest prevalence have taken even less actions to address the problem. It is assumed that governments of these countries have failed to pay attention to the general wellbeing of citizens.

For instance, North Korea that leads the table of slavery index also ranks 161 in terms of action to reduce slavery. Meanwhile, at 160 is Iran that ranks 20; Eritrea is at 159, Equatorial Guinea at 158 and Hong Kong at 157. This is not good enough to reduce global slavery to the minimum.

However, by the description of Walk Free Foundation of modern day slavery, most Nigerians living in places like Lagos, Kano and Calabar could be classified as modern day slaves.