Child Trafficking and Social Work Response in Ogun State, South West Nigeria

Child trafficking remains a critical human rights violation that persists across multiple geopolitical zones in Nigeria, with South West states including Ogun serving as transit and destination points for trafficked minors. This study investigates the nature of child trafficking in Ogun State and evaluates the social work response framework in place to address it, drawing on data from Abeokuta and Sagamu. A descriptive survey approach is adopted, with structured questionnaires and interview guides administered to 100 respondents including social workers, law enforcement officers, community leaders, and NGO staff. Data are analysed using frequencies and chi-square tests. The study finds that poverty, lack of parental supervision, and deceptive recruitment by traffickers are leading factors enabling child trafficking in the region. Social work professionals working alongside anti-trafficking agencies perform identification, rescue coordination, psychosocial support, and family tracing functions. However, post-rescue rehabilitation services are described as inadequate, and many rescued children are returned to environments that perpetuate their risk. The study recommends strengthening inter-agency coordination between social workers, law enforcement, and the judiciary in trafficking cases, expanding rehabilitation centres for trafficking survivors, and investing in community sensitisation targeting high-risk communities. Keywords: child trafficking, social work response, Ogun State, rehabilitation, human rights