Nigeria Pledges Stronger Action Against Child Labour Ahead of 2030 Target

The federal government says it is intensifying efforts to eliminate child labour to meet the 2030 global target for its eradication.

Magaji Ademu, a director in the Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said this on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland, at the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference.

Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the global conference, Mr Ademu said Nigeria remained fully committed to ending all forms of child labour. He noted that key policy frameworks had been developed with international support.

Mr Ademu explained that Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan had been validated with the support of the International Labour Organisation. He disclosed that the documents would be officially launched on June 16 in Abuja.

“Our national child labour policy and national action plan were validated with the support of the ILO. On the 16th of this month, as scheduled, they will be launched in Abuja,” he said.

Mr Ademu stressed that the government’s position aligns with global commitments under the Marrakech Declaration.

The declaration, according to him, calls on all nations to eradicate child labour through strong political will, social protection, and effective law enforcement.

He explained that Nigeria had agreed to fully implement the resolutions reached at the international conference on child labour.

On global advocacy, he referred to the symbolic “red card” campaign against child labour, describing it as a collective call for global action.

“We issued a red card on child labour in the whole world. This shows that all countries should eradicate it totally in their various countries. We should not allow it to happen in our countries,” he said.

Mr Ademu, however, acknowledged significant challenges hindering progress, particularly weak law enforcement and difficulties accessing rural communities where child labour is more prevalent.

He said the government and stakeholders are working to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and address structural gaps in the fight against child labour across the country.

(NAN)