The Narratives Hub
The Child and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF) and relevant stakeholders under Labour and employment, have called for stronger public awareness and joint action to end child labour in Nigeria, saying it remains a shared responsibility for government, communities, and families.
The group made the call on Saturday in Abuja during a World Day Against Child Labour awareness hike organized with Hikers Without Borders, the International Labour Organization (ILO), and other partners.
The National Coordinator of CYPF, Mr. Kolawole Olatosimi, said the hiking initiative was designed to take advocacy directly to communities while also leveraging outdoor activities to draw public attention to child protection issues. He explained that the campaign was not only aimed at awareness creation but also at encouraging collective responsibility in protecting children.
Olatosimi noted that the initiative was the second of its kind, following a similar exercise held in Kuje, adding that collaboration with Hikers Without Borders had helped expand reach and participation. He stressed that engaging people in familiar social and recreational settings makes advocacy more effective and relatable.
He added that the use of hiking also helps extend the message beyond the physical event through social media engagement, where participants share content that further amplifies the campaign against child labour. He reiterated that ending child labour requires continuous advocacy at all levels of society.
He said, “We have created awareness on the issue of child labor. And then also in the community also, we have created awareness to the community people on the issue of child labor.”
A Former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Henry Idahagbon, who participated in the hike, described child labour as a violation of children’s rights and a practice that deprives them of proper development.
He said children must not be forced into economic responsibilities, stressing that such duties rest solely on parents and guardians.
Idahagbon called for stronger family planning measures and improved government intervention through empowerment programmes, particularly in rural communities.
He also advocated for a shift from subsistence farming to mechanised agriculture, saying this would reduce reliance on children for farm labour and allow them to remain in school.
He said, “Child labor robs the child of their childhood and transforms them into adults, even while they are still in their childhood.”
“It is not the responsibility of the child to put food on the table in the house. That is the responsibility of the parents.”
Also speaking, a representative of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Barr. Theresa Odoh of the Inspectorate Department, said child labour continues to hinder children’s access to education and healthy development.
She noted that efforts are ongoing, in collaboration with the International Labour Organization and other partners, to eliminate child labour by 2030 in line with Sustainable Development Goal 8.7.
Odoh stressed that awareness creation, enforcement, and reporting of child labour cases remain essential tools in achieving the target, adding that children should only be engaged in light household chores appropriate to their age.
She said, “Child labor is work that is dangerous to the growth, development, and the welfare of children.
“We are working towards the elimination of child labor towards 2030 in line with the SDG target 8.7.”
The International Labour Organization, ILO, Free movement and Migration project Officer, Agatha Kolawole, said the organisation is committed to supporting Nigeria in ending child labour and promoting decent work.
She said ending child labour requires cooperation from all sectors of society.
“The ILO is focused on promoting the elimination of child labor and ensuring that there is decent work all across the nation,” she said.
