The Federal Government has pledged to intensify efforts to eliminate child labour, as it works toward meeting the 2030 global eradication target.
Speaking on Wednesday in Geneva, Switzerland, during the 114th Session of the International Labour Conference, Magaji Ademu—a director in the Inspectorate Department of the Ministry of Labour and Employment—said Nigeria remains fully committed to ending all forms of child labour.
Addressing journalists on the sidelines of the event, Mr Ademu noted that key policy frameworks have been developed with international support. He disclosed that Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan, validated with the assistance of the International Labour Organisation (ILO), will be officially launched in Abuja on June 16.
“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, which calls on all nations to eradicate child labour through strong political will, social protection, and effective law enforcement. He added that Nigeria has agreed to fully implement the resolutions reached at the international conference on child labour.
Referencing the symbolic “red card” campaign against child labour, he described 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. We should not allow it to happen in our countries.”
Nevertheless, Mr Ademu acknowledged significant challenges hindering progress, particularly weak law enforcement and difficulties in accessing rural communities where child labour remains prevalent. He said the government and stakeholders are working to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and address structural gaps in the fight against child labour nationwide.
