In a bid to understand The role and government activities in combating child labour, it is important to understand that there are different measures in tackling child labour, several legal, administrative, political measures have been taken to try and eradicate the worse forms of child labour and in Nigeria, government have played an important role in combating child labour, this has been done through creation of acts, policies and plans.
Also government have created organizational bodies and institutional mechanism saddled with the mantle to tackle child labour, different programs have been introduced, Also government have adopted and ratified some international child labour conventions in order to tackle child labour. Additionally the federal government have partnered with NGOs, international organisation etc. in a bid to tackle this issue. All these will be discussed below.
In Nigeria before independence, one of the most comprehensive legislation to protect children was introduced in 1943, this was called the children and young persons ordinance. The ordinance construct a child to be a boy or girl under the age of 14, it further argues that a child needs to be protected by law, This ordinance was also created to provide a tool to persecute any offense against children. ( Aderinto S. 2012. P 246)
Also in an effort to tackle child labour,, most especially the worst forms of child labour, Nigeria validated the National policy on child labour and the National action plan for the elimination of child labour in 2021 which is to run from 2021-2025.
It has been recognised that poverty is one of the reasons why the utilization of child labour is on the increase, thus in a bid to tackle poverty and reduce child labour, The ministry of labour and employment have created a program to provide for vulnerable households with seed capitals to fund new businesses, especially in areas where there is high rate of child labour. (Nigerian moderate Advance. 2021. p1)
Another effort to tackle child labour is through the child act right. The act codifies issues on rights of children in Nigeriabased on the principle enshrined in the 1989 convention on the right of a child (CRC) and the 1990 African Union Charter on the Right and welfare of a child.
Additionally, combating the presence and increase of child labour is deemed a serious issue which has led to the federal government ratifying all key international conventionsconcerning child labour. Some of these conventions are ILO C. 138 minimum age, ILO C. 182. Worst form of child labour, UN CRC, UN CRC Optional protocol on Armed conflicts, UN CRC protocol on the sales of children , child prostitution and child pornography. There is also Palermo Protocol onn trafficking persons. ( Nigerian moderate Advance. 2021. p3 )
In a bid to enforce the laws on child labour, the Nigerian government has established some institutional mechanism in several agencies and bodies such as the labour inspections of ministry of labour and employment, NAPTIP , Nigeria Police to mention a few. ( Nigerian moderate Advance. 2021. p3-5 )
In summary there is a need to tackle child Labour globally and also in Nigeria. The federal government has recognised that combating the presence and increase of child labour is deemed a serious issue .
For reference purposes: Kadishi Oliseh. 2024. Child Labour and Cassava Farming in South
Western Nigeria 2004- 2021 in Oladejo M., Adetutu S. and Omobowale M. CHILDHOOD IDENTITIES AND WELLBEING IN NIGERIA:BEING, BELONGING AND BECOMING. IBADAN: SCaRPE-A. Pp 40-48
This work was presented at the national conference convened by SCaRPE-A Nigeria held at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, on March 28, 2024. Theme of the conference CHILDHOOD IDENTITIES AND WELLBEING IN NIGERIA:BEING, BELONGING AND BECOMING.
Paper found in Chapter five: Child Labour and Cassava Farming in South
Western Nigeria 2004- 2021
For full paper : https://coeidentities.mak.ac.ug/sites/default/files/2024-03/SCARPE-A-NIGERIA-NATIONAL-CONFERENCE-BOOK-OF-PROCEEDINGS.pdf
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