OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The federal government and other stakeholders, including the International Labour Organization (ILO), on Thursday, reinforced their dedication to eradicating child labour in Nigeria.
This was disclosed at the 3rd edition of the National Children Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour convened in Abuja to mark the World Day Against Child Labour.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Rt. Honourable Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, highlighted the significant progress Nigeria has made in fighting child labour and expressed deep appreciation for the support from international bodies.
She also commended the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Government of the Netherlands, and the US Department of Labour for their ongoing collaboration and support in this critical effort.
“Nigeria has ratified several ILO conventions, and our commitment to these international standards reflects our dedication to protecting our children’s rights,” she noted.
Onyejiocha highlighted the alarming global statistics, revealing that 160 million children are engaged in child labour worldwide, with 25 million people, including children, trapped in forced labour.
“This is a global menace that hinders the development of children and perpetuates poverty across generations,” she said.
Among Nigeria’s efforts to tackle this issue are the ratification of ILO conventions, the adoption of a minimum working age of 15 years, and the establishment of the National and State Steering Committees on Child Labour.
Onyejiocha also noted Nigeria’s role as a Pathfinder Country of Alliance 8.7, committed to ending child labour by 2025 and forced labour by 2030.
The Minister assured attendees of her commitment to ensuring all Nigerian children have access to education.
“The renewed hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu focuses on eradicating poverty and providing employment, ensuring that Nigerian parents can care for their families and uphold the rights of their children,” she affirmed.
In her remarks, the Director, ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison office for ECOWAS, Vanessa Phala, echoed these sentiments, stressing the historical and ongoing challenges of child labour in Nigeria, particularly in rural agricultural communities.
“Child labour remains a significant issue, driven by poverty and resulting in children working under hazardous conditions,” she stated.
Phala commended Nigeria’s legislative efforts, including the Child Rights Act and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour.
She also acknowledged the collaborative efforts with international organizations to address the root causes of child labour through education and social protection initiatives.
Despite these efforts, Phala highlighted the sobering findings of the 2021 Global Child Labour Report, which showed an increase in child labour to 160 million, with Sub-Saharan Africa facing the most significant challenges.
“The recent Nigeria Child Labour Survey Report corroborates these global trends, revealing that 39.2% of Nigerian children aged 5-17 are engaged in child labour,” she reported.
The survey also found significant gender and regional disparities, with more boys working in rural areas and more girls in urban areas. Additionally, 30% of children aged 15-17 and 22.4% of children aged 5-14 are out of school due to various socio-economic factors.
Agriculture remains the sector with the highest prevalence of child labour in Nigeria, accounting for 56.8% of child labourers. The report underscores the need for expanded access to education, improved school quality, and the promotion of decent work for youth of legal working age.
Phala called for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges, including social protection for rural populations, investment in rural youth skills, and infrastructure development.
“On this World Day Against Child Labour, I urge every child to be part of the advocacy against child labour and commit to making the workplace a safe haven,” she concluded.
