The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has emphasised that children are divinely meant to enjoy their formative years through play and education, not through strenuous labour.
Speaking at the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour and Special Children’s Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, Dingyadi stressed that every child has the right to dream and grow, not to be burdened with exploitative work.
Dingyadi called on key stakeholders, including the International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), and organised labour unions, to strengthen advocacy efforts to eradicate minor labour in Nigeria.
He noted that while progress has been made globally, more work remains to ensure all children are free from hazardous and exploitative labour.
The minister expressed optimism over recent ILO and UNICEF data showing a decline in child labour cases worldwide—from 160 million to 138 million.
While acknowledging this improvement, Dingyadi emphasised that even a single child in forced labour is unacceptable. “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do. We must accelerate our efforts,” he said, echoing the theme of this year’s commemoration.
Originally observed on June 12, Nigeria’s event was rescheduled to July 1 to avoid clashing with Democracy Day celebrations. Dingyadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to policies and programs that protect children’s rights, ensuring they have access to education and a safe environment for growth.
He urged parents, employers, and community leaders to reject juvenile labour in all forms, stating that a nation’s future depends on the well-being and proper development of its children. The minister’s remarks reinforce Nigeria’s pledge to align with global efforts to eliminate child labour and uphold the rights of every child.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
