By Edirin Robinson, in Kaduna
Children are a vital gift that must be protected, yet many face manipulation, abuse, and neglect. Take Ahmed Mubarak, an 11-year-old who has been forced into the role of caregiver for his three younger siblings since the age of seven. He bears the heavy burden of responsibility, feeling that any complaint would put his siblings at risk.
“Every morning, we pray and eat, then we go out to beg for food or money. I lead my siblings, and if we don’t collect enough, we go hungry,” Ahmed states plainly.
June 12 is not just another day; it’s World Day Against Child Labour—an urgent call to action that highlights the undeniable rights of children to health, education, and protection. Yet, millions are stripped of these rights due to circumstances beyond their control. Children should not be seen as possessions or future adults; they hold equal status as integral members of our society and deserve the nurturing necessary for healthy development.
A report from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF reveals a staggering reality: nearly 138 million children were engaged in child labor in 2024, with approximately 54 million in hazardous conditions. While child labour rates have nearly halved since 2000, from 246 million to 138 million, the pace of progress remains completely unacceptable. To eradicate child labour by 2025, we need an 11-fold increase in our efforts.
In 2023, Nigeria made minimal strides in addressing this issue, but it is far from enough. The government initiated projects aimed at enrolling at-risk children in schools, but this is merely a starting point.
The reality is clear: children belong in classrooms, not in labour. It’s time to recognize our responsibility and take decisive, effective action to ensure a brighter future for our children.
The Global Landscape of Child Labour: Progress and Setbacks:
For nearly two decades since 2000, the international community has been working to combat child labor, but much more remains to be done.
However, over the past few years, a confluence of global challenges has tragically reversed some of these gains. Conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the far-reaching economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have plunged more families into devastating poverty, forcing millions more children into child labour as a means of survival.
Economic growth, where present, has often not been sufficiently inclusive to alleviate the immense pressure felt by vulnerable families and communities, leaving them with no viable alternative but to resort to child labour.
Consequently, the progress achieved has been undermined, and today, an alarming 160 million children are still engaged in child labour globally. This equates to almost one in ten children worldwide.
Regional and Economic Disparities in Child Labour
The burden of child labour is not evenly distributed across the globe, with specific regions and economic groupings facing disproportionately higher challenges.
Africa ranks highest, with one-fifth (20%) of all children engaged in child labour, translating to an absolute number of 72 million children, while Asia and the Pacific regions follow closely, with 7% of all children, totaling 62 million children, in child labour.
Together, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific regions account for nearly nine out of every ten children in child labour worldwide, underscoring the concentrated nature of the problem in these areas.
The remaining child labour population is divided among the Americas (11 million), Europe and Central Asia (6 million), and the Arab States (1 million). In terms of incidence, 5% of children are in child labour in the Americas, 4% in Europe and Central Asia, and 3% in the Arab States.
A staggering 84 million children in child labour (56% of the global total) live in middle-income countries. Additionally, 2 million children engaged in child labour reside in high-income countries, highlighting that this is a pervasive global challenge, not confined to the poorest nations.
In Nigeria, reports by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) in 2024 revealed that child labor remains a significant issue, with approximately 39.2% of children between 5-17 years old engaged in child labor, which translates to around 24.6 million children.
Nigeria’s minimum age for work protections does not meet international standards as they do not apply to children who are self-employed or working in the informal economy, and the state of Kano does not prohibit the use of children in illicit activities.
The government also lacks the necessary number of labor inspectors to cover the labor force and research was unable to determine if the government’s coordinating mechanism or policies were active during the reporting period.
Thankfully, several organizations have risen to the challenge by setting up initiatives and implementing policies to tackle the menace.
EWEI’s Commitment and Impact in Combating Child Labour
The Empowering Women for Excellence Initiative (EWEI) strongly believes that now is the time to make the elimination of child labour a reality.
Speaking to the Communication Manager, Mr Uche Brown Egbe, he stressed that the vision is clear: to replace tools in little hands with toys and textbooks, ensuring every child can experience a safe and nurturing childhood.
He explained that over the years, EWEI has actively contributed to curbing cases of child labour and abuse through various strategic interventions such as the GBV Toll-Free Helpline, and Strategic Partnerships.
“Our dedicated toll-free helpline (08003934000) serves as a critical lifeline, receiving reports of child neglect and abuse, including instances that may lead to or involve child labour. These cases are then promptly referred to the appropriate authorities and service providers for intervention.
“EWEI’s work is strengthened by robust partnerships with government bodies, security agencies, and various service providers.
These collaborations enable effective coordination and response to complex cases of child exploitation.
Noting the recent Successes, the Communication Manager said that, through recent and ongoing collaborations with experts and partners, EWEI has successfully intervened in reported cases of child labour and trafficking.
Highlighted achievements include working closely with agencies such as the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and the Kaduna State Ministry of Human Services and Social Development to rescue and support child victims.
Despite these dedicated efforts, a significant challenge remains —underreporting. Mr Uche lamented that his organization can only do little as many cases of child labour and abuse go unreported due to fear, lack of awareness, or societal norms, hindering the full scope of interventions required.
Aside from the issue of underreporting, there’s also the challenge of insufficient funding as Enforcement agencies lack sufficient resources to effectively combat child labor.
There is also a need to harmonize laws and ensure effective enforcement to protect children from exploitation. Security agencies need to be on the lookout as labour inspectors to ensure the safety of children.
“The alarming statistics on child labour, coupled with the setbacks of recent years, demand an intensified global response. Every child lost to labour is a lost future, a diminished society. EWEI reiterates its unwavering commitment to fighting for the rights of every child.
“As we move forward from World Day Against Child Labour 2025, it is imperative that all stakeholders –governments, civil society organizations, international bodies, communities, and individuals – unite to speed up efforts.
“The year 2025 highlights a crucial message: “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: let’s speed up efforts!” This call underscores the urgency required to accelerate the eradication of child labour worldwide.
“We must strengthen protection mechanisms, ensure universal access to quality education, address the root causes of poverty, and combat the cultural and economic pressures that force children into labour.
“Let us collectively work to dismantle the systems that perpetuate child labour and build a world where every child can enjoy their fundamental rights, learn, play, and thrive. The time for action is now,” he said.
To accelerate progress, UNICEF and ILO are calling for governments to: Invest in social protection for vulnerable households, including social safety nets such as universal child benefits, so families do not resort to child labour.
“Strengthen child protection systems to identify, prevent, and respond to children at risk, especially those facing the worst forms of child labour. Provide universal access to quality education, especially in rural and crisis-affected areas, so every child can learn.
“Ensure decent work for adults and youth, including workers’ rights to organize and defend their interests. Enforce laws and business accountability to end exploitation and protect children across supply chains.
