Unveiling the next chapter in child labour elimination: ILO's ACCEL Africa project phase 2 workshop in Abuja

Abuja, Nigeria, 12 March, 2024 – The International Labour Organisation (ILO), supported by the Government of the Netherlands, successfully held the review and validation workshop for the workplan of the ACCEL Africa project Phase 2 from March 11-12, 2024, in Abuja. This will be followed by consultations and a field visit in Ondo State on March 14, 2024.

The workshop brought together government officials from the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Solid Minerals Development, Agriculture and Food Security, national labour unions, the organised private sector, civil society organizations, all united in their commitment to eliminating child labour. The ACCEL Africa Project Phase 2 aims to build on the achievements of its phase 1, adopting innovative approaches to address the systemic causes of child labour in sectors such as cocoa and artisanal gold mining supply chains.

In her opening address, the Honourable Minister of Labour and Employment, represented by the Director of the Inspectorate Department, Mrs. Olaitan Olaolu, highlighted the Federal Government of Nigeria's dedication to eradicating child labour, building on the achievements of ACCEL Africa Phase 1. She emphasized the need to intensify collective efforts to address the challenges of child labour, particularly considering the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on child labour incidence within the region.

Dr. Vanessa Phala, the ILO Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the ECOWAS Liaison Office, expressed optimism about the workshop, marking it as a pivotal moment in Nigeria's effort to eradicate child labour. She stressed that ACCEL Africa Project Phase 2 is not merely a continuation but an expansion of efforts, incorporating innovative approaches to address the root causes of child labour. Mrs. Olaolu's message was one of hope and action: "As we validate the workplan for Phase 2, let us be reminded of the urgency and importance of our mission. Together, we can forge a future where every child is free from the bonds of labour and free to pursue education and dreams."

Building on the successes of the first phase, which saw the reintegration of 1,400 children into schools and the economic empowerment of over 800 individuals, ACCEL Africa is entering its second phase with a renewed commitment to eradicating child labour in Nigeria. The workshop engaged engage national stakeholders in a thorough review and validation of the project's workplan, ensuring a collaborative and effective approach to eliminating child labour in the cocoa and artisanal gold mining supply chains.

The second phase of the project introduces an innovative systems-approach, focusing on strengthening existing frameworks and implementing evidence-based solutions to tackle the root causes of child labour. This approach aligns with the global momentum, especially following the Durban Call to Action, to promote decent work, enhance social protection, and facilitate safe and healthy work environments.

The successes of Phase 1 and the promising journey of Phase 2 are testaments to the power of partnership. Together, we are setting a robust course towards a future where children are free from labour and endowed with education and opportunity."

Dr. Vanessa Phala, ILO Country Director.

The workshop and subsequent activities in Ondo State represent a reinvigorated commitment to combating child labour in Nigeria. Through the joint efforts of all stakeholders, the ACCEL Africa Project Phase 2 is poised to significantly contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal Target 8.7, which aims to end child labour by 2025.

This phase of the ACCEL Africa Project marks a crucial advancement in the global fight against child labour, with Nigeria leading the way.