Despite the global condemnation of child labour practices, its rising trend in Nigeria is strongly growing concerns. The federal government estimates that 43 percent of Nigerian children aged 5-11 actively engage in some type of economic activities with the most severe sorts of underage workers are particularly prevalent. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, led by the Permanent Secretary Kachollom Daju, set out on a road walk in commemoration of the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL), with the theme “Social Justice for All End Child Labour.”
The purpose of the road walk, which started at the Federal Secretariat and ended at the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja, was to re-energize global the movement for social justice and the eradication of child labour. Daju, speaking during the road walk, stated that the Federal Government is committed to ending child labour because it recognises the magnitude of confronting/solving the issue. She said that it is a major problem that violates millions of children’s human rights to a childhood free from exploitation, health care, schooling, and mental and moral growth that they deserve.
All parties involved need to move swiftly to provide measures.
Referring to the 2016–2017 MICS Survey, she asserts that 39 percent of children involved in the workforce do so in perilous conditions such as granite quarrying, artisanal mining, commercial sexual exploitation, armed combat, or even got engaged in human trafficking. These statistics highlight the pressing need for all parties involved in addressing these practices in Nigeria and beyond to move swiftly to provide measures that would eradicate the menace. The World Day Against Child Labour is a reminder that the struggle to end underage workers calls for a consistent/concerted commitment.
Numerous actions, projects, regulations, and partnerships exhibits the Federal Government of Nigeria commitment to contributing to the global fight against the issue and its worst forms. Among these initiatives include the adoption and ratification of ILO Conventions No.138 and No.182; Enactment of the Child Rights Act to domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; The 36 States of the Federation and the FCT have domesticated the Child Rights Act; Review of the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan on the Elimination of Child Labour; Development of the List of Hazardous Child Labour.
Patterns of exploitations against children is important.
Some of the highlighted hurdles in eliminating child labour in Nigeria include poverty, cultural/religious reasons, a subpar education system, minimal social safety mechanisms, and a skewed understanding of the issue. Daju stated that the Ministry of Labour and Employment will continue working with relevant actors to devise and implement collective initiatives that help eradicate it. In addition, the agency also intends to advocate for the establishment of appropriate government interventions and child protection policies.
She also mentioned that measures were being taken to aid local organisations and support victims as well as households in difficult situations. Mr. Tony Ojukwu, SAN, Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Human Rights Commission (NHRC), in his goodwill address, emphasized that in recognition of the menace, it is very crucial to be aware of the necessity of breaking the vicious pattern of exploitations perpetrated against children and working towards a secured world in which no child is forced to give up their ambition in order to survive.
There are 15 million child workers in Nigeria.
Ojukwu claims that examining the statistics shows the unflinching reality confronting us. This is as the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that around 160 million children around the world are involved in child labour. In Africa, 72.1 million children are estimated to be engaged in child labour and 31.5 million in hazardous work while 15 million child workers are in Nigeria. He argued that the WDACL commemoration was an opportunity to directly address these statistics and develop broad strategies to safeguard the rights of children and ensure a brighter future for coming generations.
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Child labour in Nigeria at 43% of children. – Millions of children’s human rights violated by child labour practices. – Express your point of view.
It’s truly heartbreaking to hear that such a large percentage of children in Nigeria are affected by child labor. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment, free from exploitation and abuse. When children are forced to work instead of going to school, their physical, emotional, and psychological health can suffer, and their ability to reach their full potential is severely limited.
We must recognize that the root causes of child labor are complex and often tied to poverty, lack of access to education, and cultural norms. To address this issue, we need to work together to create more opportunities for education and economic development, so that families don’t feel like they have to resort to exploiting their children for financial gain.
Additionally, we need to continue to raise awareness about the human rights violations that occur when children are forced to work. These children are often subjected to dangerous and hazardous working conditions, and they are denied the opportunity to experience the joys of childhood. It’s important that we advocate for the rights of these children and work to create a world where every child can grow up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Overall, it’s clear that child labor is a complex and deeply concerning issue, but by working together and raising awareness, we can make a difference in the lives of millions of children around the world.
Hearing that such a high number of children in Nigeria are impacted by child labor is incredibly upsetting. Every child should have the chance to develop in a secure and loving environment that is free from abuse, so we must keep spreading the word about the abuses of human rights that take place when kids are made to labor we need to eradicate child labour to stop it from continue
We need to protect this child right from child labor practice it need to be stopped all this children should be in education process not to be used for un right work or way something need to be done to stop it, we should not keep quiet or encourage child labor togetherness we can stop it
child labor affects such a large number of children in Nigeria. Every child should be given the opportunity to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment free from abuse, thus we must continue to raise awareness of the violations of human rights that occur when children are forced to work. Child labor must be completely eliminated. This children as been use as work overload for any kind of work
It is unfortunate child labour is still ravaging Nigeria till this extent. There is need for us to protect our children from this unwarranted labour work. They are still children and they are supposed to be enjoying their childhood. We really need to protect them from people using them for child labour.
Poverty, cultural factors, inadequate education, and lack of social safety mechanisms force children into labor in the country. Government should address poverty, improving education, enforcing laws, and providing social safety nets will help in eradicating child labor in Nigeria.