Abuja: The Federal Government has urged the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), organised labour, and other stakeholders to intensify their efforts in eradicating child labour in Nigeria. Mr Muhammadu Dingyadi, Minister of Labour and Employment, made this appeal during the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour and a Special Children’s Conference held in Abuja. The event was themed, ‘Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the World Day Against Child Labour is observed globally on June 12. Dingyadi highlighted a recent report by ILO and UNICEF indicating a global decline in child labour, with numbers dropping from 160 million to 138 million, a trend that Nigeria is a part of. Despite this progress, he emphasized that even one child in child labour is one too many and called for a vision of a Nigeria where children are engaged in learning and playing, rather than labouring and toiling.
During the conference, Dingyadi encouraged children to draft a communiqu© that could influence government policy. He assured them of the ministry’s support and reiterated President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, underscoring education as a key tool to break the cycle of poverty and child labour. He also recognized the efforts of ILO, ECOWAS, NECA, NLC, TUC, and other ministries in creating a protective and opportunistic environment for children.
Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Director for Abuja, addressed the ongoing challenges, stating that millions of Nigerian children are still involved in unsafe, exploitative, and hazardous work, despite Nigeria’s commitment to international child-labour standards. She noted the significant global decline of 22 million child labourers since 2020 and more than 100 million since 2000, even as the child population grew by 230 million during the same period. These statistics, she argued, underscore the need for sustained and accelerated action.
Phala urged the National Assembly, the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and other stakeholders to expedite the passage of the reviewed Labour Standards Bill. This legislation aims to align domestic laws with international standards and promote social justice, furthering the fight against child labour in Nigeria.