President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national priority as Nigeria intensifies efforts to protect children from exploitative work.
The Federal Government has unveiled the National Policy on Child Labour and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030), setting out measures aimed at tackling the problem across the country.
The plan focuses on preventing child labour, strengthening enforcement, protecting vulnerable children, expanding rehabilitation and improving coordination among government institutions and other stakeholders.
Tinubu also directed state governments and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to fully implement the new action plan, stressing the need for coordinated efforts to achieve its objectives.
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, said the policy provides a roadmap for stronger enforcement, social protection, education and accountability in the fight against child labour.
He called on employers to keep their businesses and supply chains free of child labour and urged parents, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to protect children from exploitation.
Tripod Times reports that the initiative is also aligned with Nigeria’s international commitments to eliminate the worst forms of child labour and achieve the global 2030 target.
