The federal government, on Thursday, pleaded with Nigerians to take ownership of the fight against child labour and forced labour in the country, which it said has aggravated issues of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
FG also revealed that there was an ongoing evaluation of the labour standard bill to mainstream child labour, with special consideration on the adoption of 15 years as the minimum age for work or employment.
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, made the appeal in Abuja during the third edition of the National Children Conference to commemorate the elimination of child labour in Nigeria.
The conference was organised to mark the 2024 World Day Against Child with the theme: “Let’s Act on our Commitments to End Child Labour”.
Whilst speaking at the conference, Onyejeocha said, “About 25 million adults and children are in forced labour, including in global supply chains.
“It is a global menace that has proven to potentially hinder the development of children, leading to a lifelong physical and psychological damage. It also keeps the children out of school, thereby perpetuating poverty across generations.
“I humbly encourage everyone to take ownership in the fight against child labour and forced labour, and ensure the protection of the rights of citizens.”
The minister elucidated that the critical stakeholders were all cognizant that the current global statistics indicates that 160 million children and nearly one in 10 worldwide are engaged in child labour.
She added that in order to tackle the challenges of child labour, Nigeria had made giant strides in the ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions 138 on the minimum age for work, 182 on the worst forms of child labour, to mention but few.
“I am here today to assure you that the situation of Child Labour will not continue. I promise to use my good office to reach out to all those in authority to ensure that all Nigerian children will go to school and remain in school,” she said.