Nigeria's Labour Ministry Takes Action Against Child Labour

The Federal Government of Nigeria has declared child labour as unacceptable and a criminal offence, instructing relevant agencies to report cases involving children engaged in hazardous work. Dr Kamil Shoretire, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, issued this directive during a training workshop for labour reporters organized by the Labour Correspondents Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

He highlighted that children should not be exposed to hazardous activities in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and construction. Shoretire noted that while the Ministry of Labour and Employment has a clear policy against child labour, enforcement requires collaboration with specialized regulatory authorities.

The National Bureau of Statistics reported that in 2022, 24.7 million children aged between five and 17 were involved in child labour, with 14.4 million engaged in hazardous work. The recent launch of the National Child Labour Policy by President Bola Tinubu underscores the government's commitment to protecting children from hazardous work and ensuring they remain in safe environments and in school.