The Federal Government is urging state governors to take responsibility for fighting against the high occurrence of child labor and forced labor at the state and local levels.
During the official launch of the Nigeria Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Report 2022 in Abuja, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, called for state governors to lead the fight against child labor and forced labor, while also assuring continued federal support in policy formulation and implementation.
The survey was carried out in April 2022, 22 years after the first Multiple Indicator Cluster Surveys were conducted.
The aim of the survey is to gather data that will help improve understanding of forced and child labor, which will in turn assist in making decisions on policies and interventions to eliminate child labor and forced labor in Nigeria.
Notable achievements and initiatives by the Nigerian government to address child labor and forced labor include ratifying important International Labour Organisation conventions, reviewing policies, creating steering committees, and making commitments to international alliances such as Alliance 8.7.
During her speech, Onyejeocha said, “The current global statistics show that 160 million children, nearly 1 in 10 worldwide, are engaged in child labor, and about 25 million adults and children are in forced labor, including in global supply chains.
“The problem of child labor and forced labor is more widespread at the state and local government levels. I believe that the survey report being launched today will provide verifiable data that will offer direction and innovative solutions, as well as the creation of policies and programs to eliminate child labor.
“It will take a combined effort and commitment to address this problem across the states and communities. I strongly encourage you, state governors, to take responsibility for the fight against child labor and forced labor and to ensure the protection of the rights of your citizens, considering that child labor is more prevalent at the state and local government levels.
“The Federal Government will continue to create effective policies that address the root causes of child labor.”
Stressing the need for collective action, the minister called for increased collaboration among stakeholders at all levels to implement effective policies to eliminate child labor and forced labor.
The minister reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to the 2030 Agenda, urging joint efforts to achieve SDG 8.7 and promote sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.
She pointed out, “Let us recognize that the survey report being launched today is a call for more collaboration by all stakeholders at all levels, and a reminder for us to intensify our efforts and commitment to ensure that we bring this process to a successful conclusion.
“Our commitment and efforts are necessary to ensure that the information in this report will be a helpful reference for carrying out effective policy actions to eliminate child labor and forced labor in Nigeria.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was agreed upon by 193 UN member states, urges for immediate and effective actions to eliminate forced labor, stop modern slavery and human trafficking, and ensure the prohibition and eradication of the most severe forms of child labor. This includes the recruitment and use of child soldiers, and aims to end all forms of child labor by 2025.
We don't have much time to reach this goal, but we can achieve it if we work together. Putting an end to child and forced labor is closely connected to promoting continual economic growth and providing full and productive employment and decent work for everyone, as outlined in Sustainable Development Goal 8.