FG: 43% of Nigerian Children Engaged in Worst Form of Child Labour

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The federal government has estimated that over 43 percent of Nigerian children aged between 5 and 11 years are involved in economic activities, including those considered as  worst forms of Child Labour.

It also estimated that over 43 per cent of Nigerian children aged between 5 and 11 years were involved in economic activities, including being engaged in the worst forms of Child Labour.

A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Olajide Oshundun, in commemoration of the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) stated, “estimated that over 43 per cent of Nigerian children aged between five and 11 years are involved in economic activities, including being engaged in the worst forms of Child Labour.”

Quoting the 2016 – 2017 MICS Survey, the statement said 39 per cent of children involved in child labour were working under hazardous conditions including quarrying granite, artisanal mining, commercial sexual exploitation, armed conflict, and sometimes are victims of human trafficking.

The ministry said the figures reflected the degree of urgency required by the various actors working on child labour to proffer solutions to the reduction and possible elimination of child labour in Nigeria and globally.

Earlier while speaking on the theme: “Social Justice for All. End Child Labour”, the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Kachollom Deju, said the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour called for reinvigorated international action to achieve social justice, with the elimination Child Labour as one of its key elements.

The Permanent Secretary who took part in Road Work from the Federal Ministry of Justice to the headquarters of the National Human Rights Commission in Abuja, said the government recognised the importance of addressing the issue of child labour and is determined to eradicate the menace.

“Child Labour is a grave concern that affects millions of children worldwide, denying them of their fundamental rights to education, health, mental and moral development and a childhood free from all forms of exploitation.

“The WDACL serves as a reminder that the fight against child labour requires sustained efforts and collective action the whole society.

“The commitment of the federal government of Nigeria in contributing to the global fight against child labour and its worst forms, is evidenced in the following interventions, programmes, activities and partnerships, 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.

She also said that the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory  (FCT) have domesticated the Child Rights Act.

Other measures being taken by the government included 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, review of the Labour Act to mainstream Child Labour into the Labour Standards Bill which replaces the Labour and adopting 15 years as the minimum age for employment.

The ministry further said the federal government had embarked on the development and validation of Child Labour reporting App and National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in collaboration with the ILO through the ACCEL Africa Project.

In addition, the ministry said it has stablished the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour (NSCCL) to strengthen institutions mandated to monitor the elimination of Child Labour across the country as well as constitution and inauguration of the State Steering Committees on the Elimination of Child Labour (SSCCL) across the 36 states of the Federation and FCT.

However, the Ministry listed some of the challenges in the elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria to include: poverty, cultural/religious factors, poor educational system, inadequate Social Protection systems and wrong perception/ ignorance of the negative effects of Child Labour.

“Ministry commits to: Continue active collaboration with relevant stakeholdersto develop and implement collective strategies that contribute to the eradication of child labour.

“Engage in advocacy interventions to encourage government (Federal and States) and policymakers to enact and enforce legislation that protects children from exploitation and ensures access to quality education.

“Provide support to grassroots organisations and implement initiatives dedicated to combating child labour, rehabilitation and empowerment of child labour victims and vulnerable households.”