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Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182) - Nigeria (RATIFICATION: 2002)

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Article 3 of the Convention. Worst forms of child labour. Following its previous comments, the Committee notes the Government’s indication, in its report, that the Tripartite (Government and Social Partners – Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)) recommended, following their meeting on 4 October 2023, a stronger commitment by the Government in the formulation and implementation of policies and implementation of the Child Rights Act across the States of the Federation. The Committee requests the Government to keep it informed of the measures taken to ensure that the Child Rights Act enters into force in all the states of Nigeria in the very near future. It requests the Government to provide information on any progress made in this regard.

Article 6. National plan of action.National Action Plan on Human Trafficking in Nigeria (2022–26) (NAP-HT). The Committee requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken and results achieved through the implementation of the components of the NAP-HT, as regards combating the trafficking of children for labour or commercial sexual exploitation. Regarding the general implementation of the NAP-HT, the Committee refers to its comments under the Forced Labour Convention, 1930 (No. 29).

Article 7(2). Effective and time-bound measures. Clause (b). Providing the necessary and appropriate direct assistance for the removal of children from the worst forms of child labour, and for their rehabilitation and social integration. Child trafficking. Following its previous comments, the Committee takes note of the Government’s information relating to the protection component of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) strategic approach, including the rescue and sheltering of over 21,700 victims of human trafficking, although the Government does not indicate how many child victims are among them. Other measures include the development of a Protocol for Identification, Safe Return and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Persons. The Committee requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken to identify and protect child victims of trafficking and to ensure their rehabilitation and social integration, including through the action of the NAPTIP and through such measures as the Protocol for Identification, Safe Return and Rehabilitation of Trafficked Persons. It requests the Government to provide information on the results achieved as regards child victims of trafficking.

Clause (d). Identifying and reaching out to children at special risk. Child orphans of HIV/AIDS and other vulnerable children (OVCs).Noting with regret the absence of information on this topic in the Government’s report, the Committee once again requests the Government to take effective and time-bound measures to protect OVCs from the worst forms of child labour. It once again requests the Government to provide information on the measures taken in this regard and the results achieved.

Article 8. International cooperation and assistance. Regional cooperation concerning the sale and trafficking of children.Taking note of the Government’s information regarding the various memoranda of understanding and bilateral understandings signed by Nigeria with neighbouring countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Niger), the Committee encourages the Government to pursue this cooperation with a view to preventing the trafficking of children under 18 years of age. It requests the Government to continue to provide information on the measures taken and the impact and results achieved in this respect.