President Bola Tinubu has unveiled a new national policy and four-year action plan aimed at eliminating child labour and protecting children from exploitation.
The President made the announcement on Wednesday in Abuja during a national dialogue on the implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan for 2026–2030.
He also launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report at the event, which was attended by stakeholders working to address child labour in the country.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, said the Federal Government would target the economic and social conditions responsible for pushing children into work.
“Every nation is judged by how well it protects its children. A child who is forced into labour instead of attending school loses more than an education. That child loses opportunities, confidence, health and the chance to fully contribute to national development.
“For this reason, the Federal Government considers the elimination of child labour not merely as a labour issue, but as a national development priority. It is linked to education, social protection, economic growth, poverty reduction, food security, human capital development and national security,” he said.
According to the President, the government’s approach would include stronger labour inspection, improved child protection systems and interventions designed to reduce poverty, unemployment and social exclusion.
He said limited access to quality education was also one of the factors that could expose children to exploitation.
Tinubu pointed to education as a major weapon against child labour, saying ongoing reforms were focused on getting more children into school, improving education data, strengthening teacher development and expanding skills training.
He added that the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme would help vulnerable families by providing meals for pupils and encouraging school attendance.
The President also highlighted the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme and the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Programme as part of efforts to improve household resilience.
He said helping parents and caregivers secure sustainable livelihoods would reduce the pressure on children to contribute financially to their families.
Tinubu further recalled the launch of the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria in 2025, alongside continued efforts to enforce the Child Rights Act and other laws protecting children.
He said government was equally working to make schools safer, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to security threats.
“As an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country, Nigeria accepts both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead by example. I am pleased that the National Child Labour Policy and the National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026-2030), which we are launching today, provide a practical roadmap for translating our international commitments into measurable national action,” Tinubu said.
The President urged state governments to fully participate in implementing the action plan and called on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and the Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to promote child protection initiatives.
He also called on businesses to remove child labour from their supply chains and urged parents, communities, religious and traditional leaders, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society groups to support the campaign.
Tinubu directed relevant government agencies, state governments and other stakeholders to ensure that the new policy and action plan were effectively implemented.
He commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the International Labour Organisation, ECOWAS, the European Union, the Netherlands, the United States Department of Labor, the World Bank, the National Bureau of Statistics and other partners for supporting the initiative.
The President said the country must move “beyond commitment to action” so that Nigerian children can have access to education and protection without being subjected to exploitation.
