As the world commemorates the World Day Against Child Labour, the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has renewed its call for accelerated and sustained efforts to eliminate child labour in Nigeria.
Speaking from the ILO Conference in Geneva, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, explained that the organisation’s 2026 advocacy theme, ‘Red Card to Child Labour,’ symbolizes a collective rejection of all forms of child exploitation and a commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of every child.
Oyerinde added that the campaign is not only about removing children from labour but also about ensuring that adults have access to decent work, fair wages, and sustainable livelihoods, noting that when parents and guardians are gainfully employed and adequately supported, children are less likely to be pushed into labour.
“Child labour not only robs children of their childhood, but it also erodes the foundation of national development. A nation that allows its children to trade classrooms for workplaces compromises its future workforce, innovation capacity, and economic growth. The solution lies in creating an environment where children can learn, grow, and dream, while adults have access to decent and productive employment opportunities,” he said.
He noted that the fight against child labour requires more than declarations and commitments; it demands concrete actions that address its root causes, including poverty, inadequate access to education, weak enforcement of labour laws, and limited economic opportunities for vulnerable families.
The DG, NECA, urged governments, employers, workers’ organisations, civil society groups, development partners, communities, and businesses to work collaboratively to combat child labour by ensuring operations and supply chains are free from child exploitation and embedding child protection principles into corporate policies and practices.
“Fair play for children means allowing them to enjoy their childhood, receive quality education, and develop their talents. Decent work for adults means creating jobs that provide dignity, security, social protection and sufficient income to support families.
These two objectives are interconnected and essential for building an inclusive and prosperous society. Education, not exploitation. Protection, not child labour. Decent work, decent future. These must remain our collective priorities. Every child has the right to learn, grow, and dream. Together, we can build a future of opportunity, dignity, and decent work for all,” he added.
