Stakeholders in Nigeria’s child protection sector have renewed calls for collective action against child labour as the Child and Youth Protection Foundation (CYPF) joins global partners to mark the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.
The commemoration, observed under the theme “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” is highlighting the need to strengthen child protection systems while also improving livelihood opportunities for adults, in order to address the root causes of child exploitation.
Against this backdrop, CYPF expressed concern over the continued prevalence of child labour in Nigeria, citing recent national data that points to the scale of the challenge.
According to the Nigeria Child Labour Survey 2022 conducted by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), about 24.7 million children aged between 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour across the country.
In addition, the survey revealed that more than 14.3 million of these children are involved in hazardous work conditions that may affect their health, safety and overall development.
CYPF noted that the figures underscore the need for sustained awareness, stronger collaboration, and practical community-based interventions to protect vulnerable children and keep them in school.
As part of efforts to mark the day, the organisation said it will roll out a series of advocacy activities designed to engage different segments of society, including young people, schools and community members.
Among these activities, CYPF, in partnership with Hikers Without Borders, will host the second edition of its Advocacy Hike Against Child Labour, bringing together youths, civil society groups, development partners and members of the public to raise awareness on the issue.
The organisation said the hike is intended to encourage shared responsibility in addressing child labour and to keep the conversation active within communities.
Similarly, sensitisation sessions will be held in schools to educate students, teachers and school administrators on children’s rights, the risks associated with child labour and the importance of safe and supportive learning environments.
CYPF explained that such engagements are aimed at helping children better understand their rights while also encouraging early reporting of abuse and exploitation.
In the same vein, a theatre-for-development outreach will take place in the Kuchingoro community in Abuja, using drama, poetry, dance and other creative expressions to communicate the realities of child labour in an accessible way.
The performances, led by young girls from the community, are expected to foster dialogue and encourage families and community leaders to support stronger child protection efforts.
Speaking ahead of the commemoration, National Coordinator of CYPF, Kolawole Olatosimi, said addressing child labour requires continued collaboration across all levels of society.
He noted that while progress is being made, more effort is needed to tackle the underlying social and economic factors that drive child labour.
“We call on all stakeholders to work together to address the underlying causes of child labour and ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, play and thrive in a safe and protective environment,” he said.
Meanwhile, CYPF urged government agencies, civil society organisations, development partners, traditional leaders, parents and community members to support the implementation of the National Action Plan (2026–2030) and the National Policy on the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030).
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to promoting child rights and supporting efforts aimed at ensuring that every child grows up in safety, dignity and with access to education and opportunity.
