States economy is a foundational structure that supports all superstructures of the state. Economic instability has been linked to several factors, such as malnutrition, increased in crime activities, human trafficking etc. An unstable economy creates various pull factors that promote recruitment of victims of human trafficking, ineffective border management, and other conditions that enable human trafficking in Nigeria and Benin Republic. The research was built on Failed State Theory and Delanda's Account of Assemblages and Social Complexity Theory. A mixed-method research design was adopted, utilizing a population of (n=56) victims of human trafficking and other documentary evidence on human trafficking worldwide. The study found a link between persistent economic instability in Nigeria and Benin as a main pull factor that fans the ember of human trafficking like: inefficient border control, increased activity of cartels fueling human trafficking, higher chances of citizens being recruited as agents or victims, and the inability of government institutions tasked with curbing human trafficking to function properly. The study recommends that tackling the menace of human trafficking requires a robust economic plan capable monitoring agencies and suitable technologies for border managements.  

Key words: Economic instability, Human Trafficking, Porous Border, Recruitment