For Immediate Release
12TH JUNE, 2026
CEHRAWS CALLS FOR RENEWED ACTION TO END CHILD LABOUR AND PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF EVERY CHILD IN NIGERIA
The Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS) joins the international community in commemorating the International Day Against Child Labour 2026 under the theme: “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults.”
This year’s theme serves as a powerful call to governments, employers, parents, communities, civil society organisations, and all stakeholders to intensify efforts towards ending child labour and ensuring that every child enjoys the rights, opportunities, protection, and dignity guaranteed under national and international law.
Childhood is a period meant for learning, growth, development, recreation, and preparation for adulthood, not a time for exploitative labour, hazardous work, economic exploitation, or circumstances that deprive children of their education, health, safety, and future prospects.
As a child rights-focused organisation, CEHRAWS remains deeply concerned that despite significant progress made globally, millions of children across Nigeria continue to engage in various forms of child labour arising from poverty, economic hardship, inadequate social protection systems, family vulnerability, school dropouts, weak enforcement of child protection laws, and harmful socio-cultural practices.
Across many communities, children are still found hawking goods on busy highways, working in markets during school hours, engaged in domestic servitude, subjected to exploitative apprenticeship arrangements, involved in hazardous agricultural activities, and exposed to conditions that compromise their physical, emotional, educational, and psychological development.
The reality is that child labour is not merely an economic issue; it is fundamentally a human rights issue. Every child forced into exploitative labour is a child denied the opportunity to fully enjoy the rights guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, international human rights instruments, and various child protection frameworks.
The persistence of child labour undermines educational attainment, perpetuates cycles of poverty, exposes children to abuse and exploitation, and threatens sustainable national development.
In Abia State, CEHRAWS acknowledges the commendable efforts of the administration of Governor Alex Chioma Otti towards improving educational infrastructure, promoting social development, enhancing public service delivery, and creating a more enabling environment for children to thrive.
We particularly recognize ongoing interventions aimed at strengthening the welfare of vulnerable populations and improving access to quality education, which remains one of the most effective tools for combating child labour.
We also commend the growing commitment of relevant ministries, departments, and agencies toward child protection reforms and safeguarding initiatives within the State.
However, while these efforts are laudable, much more remains to be done.
CEHRAWS respectfully urges the Governor of Abia State to further strengthen measures aimed at eliminating child labour through the development and implementation of a comprehensive state-wide strategy that addresses both the symptoms and root causes of child labour.
Such measures should include increased support for vulnerable families, expansion of social protection programmes, improved school retention initiatives, enhanced monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, child-friendly reporting systems, community sensitization campaigns, and stronger collaboration between government agencies, civil society organisations, traditional institutions, faith-based organisations, and development partners.
We also call for the strengthening of labour inspection systems and child protection structures to identify, prevent, and respond effectively to cases of child exploitation wherever they occur.
Furthermore, CEHRAWS urges employers, business owners, market associations, transport operators, and members of the public to recognize that children belong in schools and safe learning environments, not in exploitative workplaces or hazardous economic activities.
The responsibility of protecting children cannot be left to government alone. Parents, guardians, communities, educators, religious leaders, and citizens all have critical roles to play in safeguarding children from exploitation and ensuring that their best interests remain paramount.
As Nigeria continues to pursue economic growth and social development, we must collectively reject any system that sacrifices the future of children on the altar of economic hardship or convenience.
The fight against child labour is a fight for social justice, human dignity, educational advancement, and sustainable development.
On this International Day Against Child Labour 2026, CEHRAWS calls upon all stakeholders to give a decisive red card to child labour and to recommit themselves to building a society where every child is protected, educated, empowered, and given the opportunity to realize their full potential.
A society that protects its children protects its future.
Let us therefore work together to ensure fair play for children and decent work for adults.
Happy International Day Against Child Labour 2026.
Signed:
OKOYE, CHUKA PETER
Executive Director, CEHRAWS
cehraws@gmail.com | +234(0)808-035-1242 (WhatsApp only)
Facebook: @cehraws
