President Bola Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, unveiling a four-year action plan aimed at tackling the root causes of child exploitation across Nigeria.
Tinubu said child labour affects several areas of national development, including education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.
The President spoke 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).
He also launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report at the event.
Tinubu was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.
According to a statement by Akume’s media aide, Yomi Odunuga, the President said the Federal Government would intensify efforts to address the underlying factors driving child labour.
Tinubu stressed that children forced into labour lose opportunities for education, good health and personal development.
He said the government therefore viewed the elimination of child labour as more than a labour-sector issue, describing it as a national development priority.
The President said the government would strengthen labour administration and inspection systems, child protection mechanisms and interventions addressing poverty, unemployment, limited access to quality education and social exclusion.
Tinubu 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.
He described the newly launched National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030) as a practical roadmap for turning Nigeria’s commitments into measurable action.
The President noted that Nigeria’s status as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country placed both responsibility and opportunity on the country to lead efforts against child labour.
He directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies, state governments, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure full implementation of the policy and action plan.
The President identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour.
He said his administration was implementing reforms targeting out-of-school children, education data, teacher development and skills acquisition.
Tinubu also highlighted the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme, saying it would support school attendance while addressing hunger and nutritional challenges among children from vulnerable households.
He added that the government was 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 the President, these initiatives are intended to expand economic opportunities and help parents and caregivers earn decent livelihoods without relying on children to supplement household income.
Tinubu recalled that his administration launched the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (2024–2030) in 2025.
He said the government would continue to pursue stronger enforcement of the Child Rights Act and other child protection laws.
The President also said measures were being implemented to improve safety in schools, particularly in vulnerable and high-risk areas.
The President called on state governments to support implementation of the National Action Plan.
He also urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to champion child protection initiatives across the country.
Employers were charged to ensure their supply chains were free from child labour, while workers’ organisations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, communities, parents and guardians were urged to support the national campaign.
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Tinubu subsequently launched the National Child Labour Survey (Labour Force Survey) 2024 Report alongside the National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030).
The President 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.
Tinubu stressed the need for Nigeria to move “beyond commitment to action”, with the goal of ensuring that every Nigerian child has access to education and protection and can enjoy a childhood free from exploitation.