By Martins Odeh
The warning by the Federal Government against illegal recruitment of Nigerians to fight in foreign wars could not have come too soon, considering reports that two Nigerians had been killed in the war between Russia and Ukraine. Ukraine officials reported they found the bodies of two Nigerians killed fighting on the side of Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, estimated that more than 1,700 foreigners from 36 African countries were deceptively recruited to fight on the side of Russia, though Russia has denied the allegation.
But there are indications that youths, including Nigerians, are being recruited for illegal activities in foreign countries. That trend has become easy amid the desperation of young Nigerians and other African nationals to seek jobs and better living conditions abroad. Nevertheless, it is the responsibility of governments to provide for and protect citizens, particularly young and vulnerable populations from exploitation, for war or other illegal assignments.
According to the warning issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the media, the recruitments are carried out under false pretenses, with promises of lucrative employment and salary incentives. The agents disguise their illegal schemes as opportunities for placements in non-combat and civil operations. But as soon as they arrive the host countries, their passports and means to communicate families at home are taken from them. They are then given ad hoc military trainings and pushed to the war front.
More often than not, they’re subjected to a hopeless and helpless situation in the war front: poorly trained and with no experience, and operating in very inclement weather conditions, they easily fall prey to enemy power. They are allegedly treated without dignity and misled to sign exploitative military service contracts in foreign languages they do not understand.
The Nigerian government’s warning should serve to put officials, parents and Nigerians seeking migration to foreign countries to be careful and well guided. Sadly, this development is a manifestation of poor engagement of youths at home, a situation highlighted by widespread insecurity and severe unemployment. Yet, government should live up to its calling. It is painful that other countries see desperate Nigerians as dispensable, leaving the victims with harrowing experiences. Government’s failure to properly engage its human resources is largely responsible for this dire situation, while both government and families are blameworthy for failing to harness great potentials young people are endowed with across the continent.
Research reveals that illegal recruitment of young Africans may have gone on for ages, long before the Russia/Ukraine war. A retired Nigerian soldier, Major Bashir Galma, told the BBC that recruitment of Nigerians and other Africans into foreign conflicts had been on decades ago, even during the Yugoslav war of 19991-2001. But African governments have not paid required attention, perhaps until now.
In South Africa, 11 victims lured to fight in Ukraine were repatriated recently. More than 1,000 Kenyans are reported trafficked to fight for Russia, with the agent in charge of the recruitment now being prosecuted for human trafficking. Ghana has just negotiated release of two Ghanaian prisoners of war from Ukraine.
It is the same way rogue agents lure young Nigerians and Africans to embark on trips to Europe through very hazardous conditions in the Sahara Desert and across the equally deadly Mediterranean Sea. Thousands have died at sea and from the scorching heat of the desert. Others are abandoned by traffickers. Some die from violence and exhaustion.
It is unacceptable for Nigerians and Africans to subject themselves to another round of slavery, deceptively couched as search for greener pastures. They are promised better life, but end up in war fronts and dehumanising employment.
This exploitation of vulnerable and jobless African youths is avoidable. Their desperation to be recruited, more often, is to escape the gridding poverty and misery at home. Using the global poverty index of $1.90 per day, Africa’s poverty rate in 2025 was estimated to be about 35.5 per cent, that is 6.8 times higher than the average for the rest of the world.
African governments should prioritise education and skills acquisition for their youths. The high rate of poverty in Africa is due to economic instability. Average unemployment in the continent in 2024, was around 7- 8.9 per cent, higher than global average. Youths are more affected. Africa is home to the world’s youngest population under 25. There are more than 400 million people in Africa aged 15-35 years. About 70 per cent of Sub-Saharan Africans are under 30.
Nigeria has one of the world’s youngest and largest youth populations, with 60-70 per cent of its roughly 230 million people under 30. This is about 160 million people under 35 years. These are assets countries must plan for and channel into productive areas, such as agriculture and technology. The country cannot afford to waste its most productive population.
In particular parents, from whom early education and guidance start, should play their part well, in tendering, mentoring and watching out for children. It is irresponsible of parents to endorse undocumented migration in the hope to earn remittances. They must plan well.
Clearly, Nigerians and Africans have no business joining foreign wars. When there is need for the governments of Africa to join in peace missions that are organised by world bodies, our militaries are capable to discharge that responsibility. Moreover, Nigeria is involved in war against terrorism that has dragged for close to two decades. The authorities should endeavour to harness Nigerian youths towards fighting Boko Haram and other terrorists, rather than watch them on the receiving end in foreign land.
Beyond war, Africa’s youthful manpower should be harnessed for the continent’s growth, not to service ageing populations in other continents. Africa has served others and it is time Africans serve themselves. Foreign missions must step up surveillance to prevent African youths from being exploited for illicit activities, while government as a whole should embark on education and public enlightenment to dissuade the youths from embarking on dangerous expenditure that trivializes their lives.
Martins Odeh, Ph.D., is the Head, Corporate Communications, NEPZA.
In this article