Launch of the Nigeria Child Labour and Forced Labour Survey Reports
3 May 2024
Abuja, Nigeria – April 18, 2024 – The International Labour Organization (ILO), in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), successfully hosted the launch of the Nigeria Child and Forced Labour Report 2022 on April 18, 2024, at the ECOWAS Commission Main Hall in Asokoro, Abuja.
This pivotal report, supported financially by the United States Department of Labour and the the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of child and forced labour in Nigeria. It is designed to inform and guide stakeholders, including the government, workers' groups, employers, and other international bodies, in their ongoing efforts to eradicate these severe issues.
The launch was attended by notable personalities such as the Honorable Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, and the Honorable Minister of State for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, donors, social partners and stakeholders. These representatives delivered keynote and goodwill messages that highlighted significant strides made towards combating child and forced labour. They emphasized the importance of accurate and timely data in shaping effective policies and interventions. Furthermore, accurate and up to date statistics are necessary to describe and analyse the prevalence, determinants, and consequences of child labour and forced labour challenges.
The unveiled reports provide comprehensive analysis that is crucial for policymaking aligned with the Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP), the Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF).
The Nigeria Child Labour Survey 2022 presents a comprehensive analysis of child labour dynamics in the country. Covering 16,418 households and involving collaboration with key stakeholders, the survey reveals that over 62.9 million children aged 5 to 17 reside in Nigeria, constituting 30.3% of the population. Notably, the survey exposes the intricate relationship between child labour, schooling, and children’s well-being. While a significant portion of children aged 5-14 are engaged in full-time schooling, a concerning 35.3% are found to juggle work alongside their educational pursuits. Among 15-17 year olds, the proportion engaged solely in work rises to 21.9%, indicating complex challenges in ensuring access to education and protection from exploitation for Nigeria’s youth.
Simultaneously, the Nigeria Forced Labour Survey 2022 delves into the pervasive issue of forced labour, providing crucial insights for policy formulation and intervention strategies. With a focus on adults aged 18 and above, the survey captures data on forced labour experiences both domestically and abroad. The report’s findings, drawn from a rigorous methodology, encompass definitions, legal standards, prevalence estimates, and sectoral compositions of forced labour. By examining the circumstances leading to involuntary labour and the means of recruitment and coercion, the report illuminates the multifaceted nature of this human rights violation.
During the event, the Director of ILO Country Office for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Liaison Office for ECOWAS, Dr Vanessa Phala expressed the ILO’s gratitude to the Statistician General of the Federation, Prince Adeyemi Adeniran, and Honourable Minister of State, Federal ministry of Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, for their leadership and dedication to the survey's execution and success. Acknowledgments were also extended to all the donors and stakeholders who supported the survey process, highlighting the collaborative effort involved in producing the report. She emphasized that stakeholders could not ignore the urgency to act decisively to safeguard the rights and restore the childhood of the children who are trapped in child labour.
With the findings now public, the ILO and its partners are poised to use this valuable data to continue developing and implementing strategies that effectively address child and forced labour in Nigeria. The ongoing commitment of local and international partners is seen as crucial in advancing towards a future where all children and workers in Nigeria can enjoy their fundamental principles and rights at work.