Nigeria has stepped up its campaign against child labour as alarming new figures released by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) show that nearly 138 million children worldwide remain trapped in child labour, with about 54 million engaged in hazardous work that threatens their health, education, and future.

The government reaffirmed its commitment to ending child labour during the ongoing 114th Session of the International Labour Conference (ILC) in Geneva, Switzerland, ahead of the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour, observed annually on June 12.

Speaking with journalists on the sidelines of the conference, a Director in the Inspectorate Department of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Magaji Ademu, said Nigeria is intensifying policy implementation and enforcement measures to align with the global target of eliminating child labour by 2030.

According to him, Nigeria’s newly developed National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan, prepared with the support of the ILO, has been validated and is scheduled for official launch in Abuja on June 16.

The initiative, he explained, is aimed at strengthening the country’s response to child labour through improved coordination among stakeholders, stronger enforcement mechanisms, and increased public awareness.

“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,” Ademu said.

He noted that Nigeria’s strategy aligns with the Marrakech Declaration and commitments adopted at the Sixth Global Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, which call for stronger political will, expanded social protection, quality education, and effective enforcement of labour laws.

Ademu stressed that the country remains committed to implementing international resolutions aimed at eradicating child labour in all its forms and protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

He endorsed the global “Red Card to Child Labour” campaign, describing it as a powerful symbol of the world’s collective determination to end the exploitation of children.

“We issued a red card on child labour across the world. This demonstrates that all countries should work towards its total eradication. We should not allow it to continue in our countries,” he said.

Despite ongoing efforts, Ademu acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly weak enforcement of existing laws and difficulties in reaching rural communities where child labour is most prevalent.

Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that ongoing reforms and stronger collaboration among governments, employers, workers’ organisations, and development partners would accelerate progress towards achieving the 2030 target.

His remarks came as ILO Director-General, Gilbert Houngbo lamented that millions of children continue to be denied their childhood through exploitation and hazardous work.

“Nearly 138 million children remain in child labour today, including 54 million performing hazardous work. This reality is unacceptable and demands urgent intervention,” Houngbo said.

The ILO chief noted that this year’s campaign theme, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults”, highlights the urgent need for collective action to ensure that every child enjoys access to education, protection, and a safe environment.

Houngbo identified poverty, limited access to education, weak social protection systems, and poor enforcement of labour regulations as the major drivers of child labour across the world.

He called on governments, businesses, workers’ organisations, and civil society groups to intensify efforts to tackle the root causes of child labour, create decent work opportunities for adults, and strengthen the implementation of labour laws.

“Together, we must act with greater urgency and determination to consign child labour to history,” Houngbo added.

The World Day Against Child Labour serves as a global platform for governments, employers, workers, and advocacy groups to mobilise support for the elimination of child labour and accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7, which seeks to eradicate child labour in all its forms by 2030.

As the countdown to that deadline continues, the message from Geneva was unmistakable: while progress has been made, the fight against child labour is far from over, and governments across the world must act faster to ensure that millions of children are rescued from exploitation and given the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. (Nigerian Tribune)