Tinubu declares war on child labour, launches 2026–2030 action plan

“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." President Tinubu 

.... Says, “For this reason, the Federal Government considers the elimination of child labour not merely as a labour issue, but as a national development priority.”

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, warning that the menace threatens education, poverty reduction, economic growth, food security, human capital development and national security.

Tinubu spoke yesterday in Abuja at the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan (2026–2030), where he launched the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report and the new National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour.

Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume, the President said his administration would intensify efforts to tackle the root causes that push children into exploitative labour.

He said: “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.”

According to him, the Federal Government would strengthen labour administration and inspection systems, child protection mechanisms and interventions addressing poverty, unemployment, inadequate access to quality education and social exclusion.

The President said education remained one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, noting that ongoing reforms were targeting out-of-school children, education data, teacher development and skills acquisition.

He added that the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme would support school attendance while addressing hunger and nutritional challenges among children from vulnerable households.

Tinubu also said the government was strengthening social protection and household resilience through programmes including the NG-CARES Additional Financing Programme and the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity, HOPE, Programme.

He said the initiatives were designed to expand economic opportunities and enable parents and caregivers to earn decent livelihoods, thereby reducing the pressure on children to work to support family survival.

The President recalled that his administration launched the National Plan of Action on Ending Violence Against Children in Nigeria (2024–2030) in 2025, while continuing efforts to strengthen enforcement of the Child Rights Act and other child protection laws.

He said measures were also being taken to improve safety in schools, particularly in vulnerable and high-risk areas.

Tinubu, who described Nigeria as an Alliance 8.7 Pathfinder Country, said the newly launched National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan provided a practical roadmap for translating the country's international commitments into measurable national action.

He called on state governments to fully support implementation of the plan and urged the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Nigeria Governors’ Spouses Forum to champion child protection initiatives across the country.

The President also charged employers to ensure their supply chains were free of child labour, while urging workers’ organisations, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, communities, parents and guardians to support the national campaign.

He subsequently directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs, state governments, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners and civil society organisations to ensure full implementation of the 2026–2030 National Child Labour Policy and Action Plan.

Tinubu commended the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, International Labour Organisation, ECOWAS, European Union, governments of the Netherlands and the United States, World Bank, National Bureau of Statistics and members of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child Labour for their support.

He stressed that Nigeria must now move “beyond commitment to action” to ensure that every Nigerian child enjoys education, protection and a childhood free from exploitation.