OSAS EMMANUEL
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government has taken steps to ensure full compliance of the 12 years minimum age for individuals who engage in apprenticeship in Nigeria.
This was disclosed in Thursday during a sensitisation rally organised by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, at the Kugbo Furniture Market in Abuja.
Speaking at the rally, which signaled the rounding up of the sensitisation programmes, which took place in the six geo-political zones of the country, the ministry warned that anyone engaging an apprentice who is below the age limit of 12 is guilty of indulging in child labour, which breaches the United Nations and International Labour Organisation (ILO), convention and standards.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha, represented by the Director, Skills Development and Certification Department, Mohammed Tolani Suraj, under whose purview the enforcement falls, said the policy has been clearly spelt out under Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN.
She described the theme of this year’s sensitisation programme as apt, noting that it will enhance job creation through skills acquisition.
Among the geo-political zones where the sensitisation programme has held include: South-East, Umiahia, Abia State; South West Ondo state; South South, Rivers State state; North Central, Makurdi, Benue state; North East, Gombe, Gombe State and North West, Katsina, Katsina State.
Beyond the sensitisation programme, the Ministry is also devising ways to boost employment generation through issuing the Trade Test Certificate of Competence to deserving beneficiaries.
To qualify for the training scheme, Onyejeocha said an apprentice must be accredited by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Department of Skills Development and Certification in order to maintain standard before training commences.
According to the Minister, the training curriculum undergoes periodic review to conform to international best practices and technological advancement.
“Labour law cap 198 section 49-53 LFN clearly spelt out the minimum age for apprenticeship in Nigeria to be 12 years. Anyone engaging an apprentice who is below this age is indulging in child labour according to the United Nation and International Labour Organization (ILO) convention and standards.
“Our apprentices undergo oral, written and practical tests at the end of training after which the trade test certificate of competence will be issued to successful candidate at a subsidized fee.
“At our training workshop safety precautions and regulations are strictly enforced by skills Department and Certification Officers and Safety Officers of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Employment in order to avoid accidents and death. Apprentice must be seen to work under a good, safe and satisfactory conditions,” the Minister stated during the sensitisation rally.
