Nigeria strengthens capacity to analyse child labour data using Labour Force Survey evidence

Abuja (ILO News) - Nigeria has taken an important step toward strengthening the evidence base needed to eliminate child labour, through a ten-day (from 20 to 30 Jan, 2026) Data Analysis Workshop on Child Labour Using Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) Annual Data.

Organized with the support of the ILO and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the workshop brought together national experts to deepen their technical capacity to analyse, interpret and use child labour data for policy and programming. The initiative responds to Nigeria’s commitment to eliminate child labour in line with national priorities, ILO Conventions No. 138 and No. 182, and Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7.

The workshop focused on translating national legislation and international statistical standards into practical tools for measuring child labour. Participants reviewed child labour concepts and definitions, including the updated guidance from the International Conference of Labour Statisticians, and examined how these concepts can be operationalized using NLFS microdata.

Through hands-on sessions using statistical software such as Stata and SPSS, participants worked on data preparation, weighting, quality checks, and the construction of child labour indicators. The analysis covered key dimensions such as age, sex, sector, working conditions, school attendance, hazardous work, household characteristics, and geographic differences.

A strong emphasis was placed on interpreting results for policy use. Participants worked in groups to identify key findings, develop analytical messages, and prepare the foundations for a child labour factsheet and future national reporting. The workshop also supported discussions on how child labour data can better inform national strategies, including the National Plan of Action for the Elimination of the Worst Forms of Child Labour.

By the end of the workshop, participants had contributed to the development of cleaned and documented analytical datasets, statistical tables, figures, and key messages on child labour in Nigeria. More importantly, the activity strengthened national technical capacity to transform complex survey data into evidence that can guide action, monitor progress, and support more targeted interventions to eliminate child labour.