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From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The Federal Government has unveiled a fresh National Policy on Child Labour and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030), as part of renewed efforts to eradicate child labour in Nigeria by 2030.
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Policy on Child Labour and National Action Plan towards 2030.
Dingyadi said the reviewed policy and action plan would provide a comprehensive roadmap for the prevention, protection, enforcement, rehabilitation, institutional coordination and accountability in the fight against child labour.
He said the initiative was part of Nigeria’s commitment to translating its international commitments into concrete national action following the country’s participation in the 6th Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour in Marrakech, Morocco, earlier this year.
According to him, child labour remains a major obstacle to human dignity, social justice and sustainable development, depriving children of their childhood, health, education and future.
“The findings of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Survey remind us of the magnitude of this challenge; where millions of children continue to engage in child labour, while many more are exposed to hazardous work in agriculture, mining, domestic service, street trading, construction and other sectors,” he said.
The minister said the Federal Government viewed the situation with “utmost seriousness”, stressing that children deserved protection, quality education, healthcare, dignity and opportunities to develop their talents in a safe environment.
Dingyadi said the government’s efforts were aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its focus on economic growth and job creation, food security, education and human capital development, social welfare and poverty reduction, youth empowerment and innovation.
He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to implementing the Labour Act, Child Rights Act, Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act and relevant international labour standards, including International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conventions 138 and 182.
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The minister called on state governments to domesticate and effectively implement the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan.
He also urged employers to ensure that their businesses and supply chains were free from child labour, while calling on workers’ organisations to promote decent work for adults.
Dingyadi further tasked development partners, community leaders, civil society organisations and faith-based organisations with intensifying awareness and advocacy against child labour.
He called on parents and guardians to prioritise education and protect children from exploitative labour.
“Ending child labour cannot be achieved by government alone. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach,” he said.
The minister urged participants at the two-day national dialogue to move beyond discussions and make concrete commitments towards strengthening institutions, improving enforcement of labour laws, expanding social protection coverage and enhancing access to quality education.
He said the government would also promote responsible business conduct and mobilise the resources required to eliminate child labour.
Dingyadi said the reviewed policy and action plan were designed to support Nigeria’s efforts towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which calls for measures to eradicate forced labour, modern slavery and human trafficking and eliminate the worst forms of child labour.
The event also featured the official launch of the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report, the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030).
