The Dark Side of Quick Wealth: How Nollywood, Social Media, and Prosperity Preaching Fuel Human Trafficking

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has sounded the alarm on the dangers of the get-rich-quick syndrome, citing its role in fueling human trafficking in the country. According to her, skewed messages from Nollywood movies, social media, and prosperity preaching by religious institutions are all contributing factors to this menace ¹.

Senator Tinubu made these remarks during a meeting with the Director-General of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), Binta Bello, at the State House in Abuja. She emphasized the need for youths to adopt a more patient and hardworking approach to achieving success, rather than seeking quick fixes.

The First Lady’s concerns are not unfounded. Nigeria has a high rate of human trafficking, with many young people falling prey to traffickers who promise them a better life. The recent raid on a baby factory in Abuja, where 19 pregnant young girls were rescued, is a stark reminder of the severity of this issue.

So, what can be done to address this problem? For starters, there needs to be a shift in the way wealth and success are portrayed in the media. Nollywood movies, in particular, have a huge influence on Nigerian youths, and it’s time for filmmakers to take responsibility for promoting positive values.

Religious institutions also have a role to play in promoting a more balanced approach to wealth and prosperity. While it’s understandable to want to inspire people to strive for a better life, prosperity preaching can sometimes be taken to extremes, leading people to believe that wealth is the ultimate goal.

Ultimately, it’s up to individuals to make a change. By embracing the values of hard work, patience, and perseverance, we can create a society where success is achieved through merit, not manipulation.

As Senator Tinubu so aptly put it, “The get rich quick syndrome is not helping matters. Even our religious institutions are doing prosperity preaching and even the bible talks about work. Social media is also not helping. Nollywood as well” ¹. It’s time for us to take a step back and re-evaluate our priorities.