The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has attributed the growing cases of migration and human trafficking in Nigeria to decades of economic hardship and industrial decline. He made this known on Monday during the public presentation of Vicious Red Circle, a novel by Ambassador Alex Ugochukwu Oriaku, at the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.

Speaking at the event, Yilwatda said Nigeria’s prolonged economic struggles have made citizens vulnerable to traffickers and illegal migration networks. “Our economic decay over four decades created fertile ground for exploitation. When industries collapsed and hope disappeared, migration and trafficking surged,” he lamented.

Yilwatda, who also served as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Chairman of the African-European Migration and Development Team, stated that the root cause of human trafficking lies in Nigeria’s long-standing economic decline and weak job opportunities. He urged all stakeholders to embrace community-based and inclusive solutions, stressing that the fight against human trafficking should not be left to government alone.

“We can stop this cycle. This book challenges us to do so. It must not remain on your shelf — let it remain in your heart,” he urged.

In his remarks, Ambassador Oriaku described human trafficking as a “vicious, self-perpetuating cycle of exploitation, vulnerability, and silence,” explaining that his book was written as a call to action rather than mere fiction. The event brought together lawmakers, government officials, and development partners who all emphasized the need for stronger partnerships to curb human trafficking in Nigeria.