Home / Current Issue / Paper 1719523
Evaluating The Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Addressing Modern Slavery in IDP Camps in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria
Subject area: Physical Sciences and Environment · Area of research: Force Migration
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719523
Abstract
Modern slavery remains a critical yet underexplored challenge within Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria. This study evaluates the resilience of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in addressing modern slavery within informal camps in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Drawing on primary data from 400 respondents, it examines demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, prevalent forms of exploitation, awareness levels, and resilience strategies. Findings reveal high self-perceived resilience (69.0%reporting very or somewhat resilient) and confidence (87.0%), primarily through social networks (33.0%) and religious practices (30.0%). Chi-square analyses confirm significant deviations from uniform distributions (p<0.001across variables), high lighting reliance on relational and spiritual coping mechanisms over economic or informational strategies. However, structural vulnerabilities poverty, low education, and ineffective protection systems perpetuate risks of forced labour, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. The study concludes that while IDPs exhibit remarkable agency, systemic interventions are essential to dismantle root causes. Recommendations emphasise livelihood programmes, rights-based education, community-led protection, and enhanced institutional accountability to empower IDPs and combat modern slavery effectively.
Keywords
Modern Slavery, Eternally Displaced Persons, FCT, Resilience, Nigeria
References
[1] Al-Zoubi, Z. (2022). Socioeconomic impacts of internal displacement in Syria. Journal of Refugee Studies, 35(4), 987–1005.
[2] Blitz, B. K. (2023). Labour exploitation and survival among displaced populations. International Migration, 61(5), 154–172.
[3] Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
[4] Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The ecology of human development: Experiments by nature and design. Harvard University Press.
[5] Chant, S., & McIlwaine, C. (2016). Cities, slums and gender in the global South: Towards a feminised urban future. Routledge.
[6] Creswell, J. W., & Plano Clark, V. L. (2018). Designing and conducting mixed methods research (3rd ed.). SAGE.
[7] Ekezie, W. (2022). Resilience actions of internally displaced persons (IDPs) living in camp-like settings: A Northern Nigeria case study. Journal of Migration and Health, 6, Article 100115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmh.2022.100115
[8] Ekezie, W., et al. (2022). Community resilience and coping strategies among internally displaced persons in Northern Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 6, 100132.
[9] Ferris, E. G. (2011). The politics of protection: The limits of humanitarian action. Brookings Institution Press.
[10] Fetters, M. D., Curry, L. A., & Creswell, J. W. (2013). Achieving integration in mixed methods designs: Principles and practices. Health Services Research, 48(6), 2134–2156.
[11] Free the Slaves. (2023). Community liberation trainings. https://www.freetheslaves.net/our-work/community-liberation-initiative/
[12] Gardner, A., Northall, P., & Brewster, B. (2020). Building slavery-free communities: A resilience framework. Journal of Human Trafficking, 7(3), 338–353. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2020.1777828
[13] Garmezy, N. (1973). Competence and adaptation in adult schizophrenic patients and children at risk. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2(1), 163–204.
[14] Hossain, M., Zimmerman, C., Kiss, L., Kone, D., Korosi, M., Abas, M., Watts, C., & Watts, C. (2019). Working with men to prevent intimate partner violence in a conflict-affected setting: A pilot cluster randomized controlled trial in rural Côte d'Ivoire. BMC Public Health, 19, Article 339.
[15] Idowu, A. A., Martins, O. O., Santali, A. A., Adamu, A. A., Adeogun, A. O., & Danlami, A. H. (2024). [Title requires verification].
[16] Idowu, A., et al. (2024). Socioeconomic attributes and service delivery among internally displaced persons in selected camps in the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria. African Journal of Social Sciences, 18(2), 112–129.
[17] Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre. (2024). Global report on internal displacement 2024. IDMC.
[18] International Labour Organization, International Organization for Migration, & Walk Free. (2022). Global estimates of modern slavery: Forced labour and forced marriage. International Labour Organization.
[19] International Organization for Migration. (2025). Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM): Nigeria Round 50. IOM Nigeria.
[20] Ivankova, N. V., Creswell, J. W., & Stick, S. L. (2006). Using mixed-methods sequential explanatory design: From theory to practice. Field Methods, 18(1), 3–20. https://doi.org/10.1177/1525822X05282260
[21] Khan, M., & Heywood, L.-M. (2024). Financial inclusion: A path to recovery and resilience for survivors of modern slavery. United Nations University Centre for Policy Research.
[22] Mancini, A. D., & Bonanno, G. A. (2009). Predictors and parameters of resilience to loss: Toward an individual differences model. Journal of Personality, 77(6), 1805–1832. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-6494.2009.00601.x
[23] Marlow, H. M., Kunnuji, M., Esiet, A., Bukoye, F., & Izugbara, C. (2021). The sexual and reproductive health context of an internally displaced persons' camp in northeastern Nigeria: Narratives of girls and young women. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 3, Article 779059. https://doi.org/10.3389/frph.2021.779059
[24] Masten, A. S. (2014). Ordinary magic: Resilience in development. Guilford Press.
[25] McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., Steckler, A., & Glanz, K. (1988). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 15(4), 351–377. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019818801500401
[26] Moser, C., & McIlwaine, C. (2014). New frontiers in twenty-first-century urban conflict and violence. Environment and Urbanization, 26(2), 331–344. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956247814540568
[27] National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. (2024). Annual report on trafficking in persons in Nigeria. NAPTIP.
[28] Okeke-Ihejirika, P., Salami, B., & Karimi, A. (2020). Beyond poverty fixation: Interrogating the experiences of internally displaced persons in Nigeria. Third World Quarterly, 41(9), 1476–1497. https://doi.org/10.1080/01436597.2020.1782732
[29] Omotsefe-Odejimi, D., & Onyeoma, S. (2021). [Publication details require verification].
[30] Panter-Brick, C. (2014). Health, risk, and resilience: Interdisciplinary concepts and applications. Annual Review of Anthropology, 43, 431–448. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-anthro-102313-025944
[31] Policy and Evidence Centre on Modern Slavery and Human Rights. (2021). Building resilience against exploitation in Kenya in the context of COVID-19. Modern Slavery PEC.
[32] United Nations. (2024). The Sustainable Development Goals report 2024. United Nations.
[33] United Nations Children's Fund. (2024). Education under attack: Protecting displaced children. UNICEF.
[34] United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Human development report 2023/2024. UNDP.
[35] United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. (2024). Global trends: Forced displacement in 2024. UNHCR.
[36] United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2024). Global report on trafficking in persons 2024. UNODC.
[37] United Nations Population Fund. (2024). State of world population 2024. UNFPA.
[38] United States Department of State. (2024). Trafficking in persons report 2024. U.S. Department of State.
[39] Walk Free. (2023). Global Slavery Index 2023. Minderoo Foundation.
[40] World Bank. (2024). Poverty, displacement and resilience: Global development report. World Bank.
[41] World Food Programme. (2024). Nigeria food security outlook. World Food Programme.
[42] World Medical Association. (2013). World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical principles for medical research involving human subjects. JAMA, 310(20), 2191–2194.
[43] Yamane, T. (1967). Statistics: An introductory analysis (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.
How to cite this paper
@article{1719523,
author = {Uguru Wisdom Ibor (ASS. Prof.), Musa Garga},
title = {Evaluating The Resilience of Internally Displaced Persons in Addressing Modern Slavery in IDP Camps in Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria},
journal = {Iconic Research And Engineering Journals},
year = {2026},
volume = {10},
number = {1},
pages = {736-750},
issn = {2456-8880},
url = {https://www.irejournals.com/formatedpaper/1719523.pdf},
abstract = {Modern slavery remains a critical yet underexplored challenge within Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Nigeria. This study evaluates the resilience of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in addressing modern slavery within informal camps in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nigeria. Drawing on primary data from 400 respondents, it examines demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, prevalent forms of exploitation, awareness levels, and resilience strategies. Findings reveal high self-perceived resilience (69.0%reporting very or somewhat resilient) and confidence (87.0%), primarily through social networks (33.0%) and religious practices (30.0%). Chi-square analyses confirm significant deviations from uniform distributions (p<0.001across variables), high lighting reliance on relational and spiritual coping mechanisms over economic or informational strategies. However, structural vulnerabilities poverty, low education, and ineffective protection systems perpetuate risks of forced labour, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. The study concludes that while IDPs exhibit remarkable agency, systemic interventions are essential to dismantle root causes. Recommendations emphasise livelihood programmes, rights-based education, community-led protection, and enhanced institutional accountability to empower IDPs and combat modern slavery effectively.},
keywords = {Modern Slavery, Eternally Displaced Persons, FCT, Resilience, Nigeria},
month = {July},
doi = {https://doi.org/10.64388/IREV10I1-1719523}
}