<![CDATA[Background: Human trafficking, particularly involving women and children, remains a pervasive and deeply rooted issue in Nigeria. Despite existing laws and interventions, systemic weaknesses continue to hinder effective responses to trafficking. Objective: This study examines the key socio-economic, legal, and institutional challenges that impede efforts to combat human trafficking in Nigeria, with a focus on women and children. Method: A qualitative research approach was adopted, utilizing document analysis. Data were drawn from policy documents, official reports, and academic literature. Sources included government agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations. The data were analyzed using a thematic review framework to ensure depth and integrity. Results: The study found that corruption, official complicity, and poor law enforcement are major obstacles to anti-trafficking initiatives. Other contributing factors include inadequate victim support systems, social stigma, cultural barriers, legal loopholes, and weak border control. Socioeconomic drivers such as poverty and unemployment further increase vulnerability to trafficking. Additionally, the misuse of technology has facilitated more complex trafficking networks, while limited international cooperation and insufficient funding continue to undermine progress. Conclusion: Combating human trafficking in Nigeria requires comprehensive legal reform, stronger institutional accountability, enhanced support for victims, robust public awareness campaigns, and greater international collaboration. A coordinated and sustainable national strategy is essential to address the multifaceted nature of the problem. Originality/Value: This study provides critical systemic insights in the field of public policy, human rights, and criminal justice by uncovering multi dimensional barriers such as corruption, official complicity, weak enforcement, legal loopholes, technology misuse by traffickers, and socioeconomic vulnerabilities regarding efforts to combat trafficking in women and children in the context of institutional and structural weaknesses in Nigeria, which remain insufficiently synthesized in the literature. These findings enrich existing empirical evidence and serve as a strategic reference for policymakers, law enforcement agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and international bodies in driving comprehensive legal reforms, strengthening institutional accountability, expanding victim support frameworks, and fostering cross border collaborative counter trafficking strategies.]]>
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