Sodiq Ojuroungbe
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the growing number of Nigerian children between the ages of five and 11, working under hazardous conditions across the country.
The FG lamented that 39 per cent of Nigerian children are engaged in the worst form of child labour are used quarrying granite, artisanal mining, commercial sexual exploitation, armed conflict, and sometimes become victims of human trafficking.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in a statement by its Director of Press and Public Relations, Olajide Oshundun, said the figures reflected the degree of urgency required by the various actors working to stop child labour to proffer solutions to the reduction and possible elimination of the act in Nigeria and globally.
The statement issued to commemorate the 2023 World Day Against Child Labour, highlighted some of the challenges in ending child labour in Nigeria to include poverty, culture, religion, poor educational system, inadequate Social Protection systems, wrong perception and ignorance of the negative effects of Child Labour.
Oshundun added that the 2016 – 2017 Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys estimated that over 43 per cent of Nigerian children are involved in different economic activities, including those considered as worst forms of Child Labour.
In her remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Kachollom Deju, stressed the need for reinvigorated international action to achieve social justice, with the elimination of Child Labour as one of its key elements.
She noted that 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 for 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 said.
Deju also said the 36 States of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have domesticated the Child Rights Act.
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