The Federal Government on Thursday, called on state governors to take ownership of the fight against the prevalence of child labour and forced labour at the state and local levels.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, who made the call at the official launch of the Nigeria Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Report 2022 in Abuja, assured continued federal support in policy formulation and implementation.
The survey was conducted in April 2022, 22 years after the first Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys were conducted.
The purpose of the survey is to improve information on forced labour and child labour through data collection, which will help to inform policy direction and interventions towards the elimination of child labour and forced labour in Nigeria.
Notable achievements and initiatives by the Nigerian government to address child labour and forced labour include ratifying key International Labour Organisation conventions, policy reviews, establishment of steering committees, and commitments to international alliances such as Alliance 8.7.
In her remarks, Onyejeocha said, “The current global statistics show that 160 million children, nearly 1 in 10 worldwide, are engaged in child labour, and about 25 million adults, and children are in forced labour, including in global supply chains.
“The issue of child labour and forced labour is more prevalent at the state and local government levels. I believe that the survey report that is being launched today is a valid tool to provide verifiable data that will give direction and provide innovative solutions, and formulation of policies and programmes towards the elimination of child labour.
“Concerted effort and commitment are required to tackle this menace across the states and communities. Dear Excellencies, I earnestly encourage you to take ownership of the fight against child labour and forced labour and ensure the protection of the rights of your citizens, in consideration of the fact that as mentioned earlier, child labour is more prevalent at the state and local government levels.
“The Federal Government at the centre will continue to ensure effective policy formulations that address the root causes of child labour.”
Emphasising the need for collective action, the minister called for intensified collaboration among stakeholders at all levels to drive effective policy actions toward eliminating child labour and forced labour.
The minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, urging concerted efforts towards achieving SDG 8.7 and promoting sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.
She noted, “Let us acknowledge that the survey report we are to launch today is a wake-up call for more collaboration by all stakeholders at all levels and the need for us to intensify our efforts and commitment, and ensure we drive this process to a very laudable conclusion.
“Our commitment and efforts are required to ensure that the information contained in this report will be a useful reference for the pursuit of effective policy actions towards the elimination of child labour and forced labour in Nigeria.
“The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, universally adopted by 193 UN member states, calls for ‘immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
“We have very little time to achieve this target, but together it can be done. The elimination of child and forced labour is intrinsically linked to promoting ‘’sustained economic growth and full and productive employment and decent work for all’’, as established in the Sustainable Development Goal 8.”
