- Child labour, particularly in the agricultural sector, remains a significant challenge across West Africa, with children working long hours under hazardous conditions.
- The Federal Government has acknowledged the issue, citing poverty, limited access to quality education, and weak enforcement of labour laws as contributing factors.
- The government has pledged to address the issue through a coordinated, holistic, and sustained effort at local, national, and regional levels.
The Federal Government has expressed concern over the persistence of child labour in the agricultural sector, particularly in West Africa. According to Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, children are working long hours under hazardous conditions, depriving them of their right to education, health, and a childhood free from exploitation.
The government has acknowledged that poverty, limited access to quality education, socio-economic instability, and weak enforcement of labour laws are contributing factors to child labour and forced labour. Onyejeocha emphasized that addressing these issues requires a coordinated, holistic, and sustained effort at local, national, and regional levels.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 160 million children are trapped in child labour worldwide, with agriculture accounting for a substantial share of child labour globally. The ECOWAS region is no exception, with children working long hours under hazardous conditions.
The Federal Government has pledged to tackle child labour and poverty in the country, with measures in place to address the issue. However, experts emphasize that empowering youth, building effective partnerships, and enacting supportive policies are essential to tackling the complexity of child labour in the agricultural sector.
