President Bola Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, saying the practice undermines education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.
Tinubu made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan (2026–2030), where he also launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report.
The President was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
According to a statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, Tinubu said the Federal Government would intensify efforts to address the root causes of child labour, including poverty, unemployment, limited access to quality education and social exclusion.
“Every nation is judged by how well it protects its children. A child who is forced into labour instead of attending school loses more than an education. That child loses opportunities, confidence, health and the chance to fully contribute to national development,” Tinubu said.
“For this reason, the Federal Government considers the elimination of child labour not merely as a labour issue, but as a national development priority. It is linked to education, social protection, economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, human capital development and national security.”
The President said his administration would strengthen labour administration and inspection systems, child protection mechanisms and programmes aimed at addressing the conditions that push children into work.
He said the theme of the 2026 commemoration, “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” reflected Nigeria’s commitment to ending child exploitation.
Tinubu identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, saying his administration was implementing reforms targeting out-of-school children, education data, teacher development and skills acquisition.
He also highlighted the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, saying it would help improve school attendance while addressing hunger and nutritional challenges among children from vulnerable households.
The President said the government was also strengthening social protection and household resilience through programmes including the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme and the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Programme.
According to Tinubu, the initiatives are designed to expand economic opportunities and help parents and caregivers secure decent livelihoods, reducing the pressure on children to work to support their families.
He recalled that his administration launched the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (2024–2030) in 2025 and said the government had continued efforts to strengthen enforcement of the Child Rights Act and other child protection laws.
Measures were also being implemented to improve safety in schools, particularly in vulnerable and high-risk areas, he said.
“As an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country, Nigeria accepts both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example,” Tinubu said.
“I am pleased that the National Child Labour Policy and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030), which we are launching today, provide a practical roadmap for translating our international commitments into measurable national action.”
Tinubu called on state governments to support implementation of the National Action Plan and urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to champion child protection initiatives across the country.
He also urged employers to ensure their supply chains were free of child labour, while calling on workers’ organisations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, communities, parents and guardians to support the national effort.
The President subsequently launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey (Labour Force Survey) Report, along with the National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030).
He directed ministries, departments and agencies, state governments, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure the full implementation of the policy and action plan.
Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, International Labour Organisation, ECOWAS, European Union, Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, United States Department of Labor, World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics and members of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour for supporting Nigeria’s efforts.
He said Nigeria must now move “beyond commitment to action” to ensure that every Nigerian child has access to education and protection and can enjoy a childhood free from exploitation.
