Nigeria Stakeholders, Validates the Child Labour National Referral Mechanism to optimize Child Labour Interventions
On the 6th of July 2023, The National Referral Mechanism and Stakeholders' Mapping document was finalized, reviewed, and validated at a hybrid validation workshop
28 July 2023
The validation of the National Referral Mechanism document and stakeholders’ mapping is the culmination of several efforts by stakeholders supported with technical support by the ILO in the country. Prior to the validation, ILO supported the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment to host nationwide stakeholders in a three-day validation workshop that utilized a human-centred design approach to ensure that the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) is tailored to the local context and aligns with global standards in protecting children against exploitation.
Kolawole Agatha, representing the ILO Country Office (CO) director, Vanessa Phala, warmly welcomed all stakeholders, acknowledging their contributions to the endeavours towards eliminating child labour in the country especially, the cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. She stated that the Child Labour National Referral Mechanism & Stakeholders' Mapping Validation Workshop marks a significant milestone in building a comprehensive and coordinated approach to eradicating child labour in Nigeria.
Representing Engineer Festus Osifo, the president of the Trade Union Congress; Hassan Salihu Anka the deputy secretary general and focal officer on the eradication of child labour mentioned that:
“In light of the continuous progress made on the elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria, optimising referral is key in the elimination of Child Labour in its totality. The congress is happy to associate with ACCEL Africa and will continue to collaborate with the project.”
In a remark presented by Mr Dennis Ejeh on behalf of the Director Inspectorate, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Olaitan Olaolu emphasized that:
“The NRM is very essential to providing an effective way to refer victims of Child Labour to available services, improving national policy and procedures on a broad range of victims-related issues, establishing the national plan of action and setting benchmarks to ensure progress towards achieving set goals, and ensuring that human rights of children are upheld, and bring about a change in perspective on how to deal with Child Labour issues, not only as a problem of criminality but also as a grave abuse of the rights of children.”
Mrs Olaitan also brought the assurance of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s commitment to ensure a holistic approach to child labour issues.
The ILO extends its appreciation to all stakeholders, policymakers, and individuals who participated in this important event. Also, The ILO expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for their generous funding and commitment to combating child labour through the ACCEL Africa project, and to the US Department of Labour for funding the ACLAWA and GALAB projects. These supports have played a crucial role in advancing efforts to protect the rights and well-being of children in Nigeria. By working together, we can create a world where all children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.
Kolawole Agatha, representing the ILO Country Office (CO) director, Vanessa Phala, warmly welcomed all stakeholders, acknowledging their contributions to the endeavours towards eliminating child labour in the country especially, the cooperation of the Federal Ministry of Mines & Steel Development, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment. She stated that the Child Labour National Referral Mechanism & Stakeholders' Mapping Validation Workshop marks a significant milestone in building a comprehensive and coordinated approach to eradicating child labour in Nigeria.
Representing Engineer Festus Osifo, the president of the Trade Union Congress; Hassan Salihu Anka the deputy secretary general and focal officer on the eradication of child labour mentioned that:
“In light of the continuous progress made on the elimination of Child Labour in Nigeria, optimising referral is key in the elimination of Child Labour in its totality. The congress is happy to associate with ACCEL Africa and will continue to collaborate with the project.”
In a remark presented by Mr Dennis Ejeh on behalf of the Director Inspectorate, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mrs Olaitan Olaolu emphasized that:
“The NRM is very essential to providing an effective way to refer victims of Child Labour to available services, improving national policy and procedures on a broad range of victims-related issues, establishing the national plan of action and setting benchmarks to ensure progress towards achieving set goals, and ensuring that human rights of children are upheld, and bring about a change in perspective on how to deal with Child Labour issues, not only as a problem of criminality but also as a grave abuse of the rights of children.”
Mrs Olaitan also brought the assurance of the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment’s commitment to ensure a holistic approach to child labour issues.
The ILO extends its appreciation to all stakeholders, policymakers, and individuals who participated in this important event. Also, The ILO expresses gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for their generous funding and commitment to combating child labour through the ACCEL Africa project, and to the US Department of Labour for funding the ACLAWA and GALAB projects. These supports have played a crucial role in advancing efforts to protect the rights and well-being of children in Nigeria. By working together, we can create a world where all children have the opportunity to grow, learn, and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment.