First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu has urged the nation to intensify its fight against child labour, calling it a moral and social crisis that strips millions of Nigerian children of their future.
In a statement released on Thursday to mark the global observance, Senator Tinubu encouraged the country to strengthen laws, support families, and invest in quality education to end child labour in all its forms.
“We must accelerate our efforts to eradicate child labour entirely by fortifying our legal systems, empowering families, and ensuring every child has access to quality education,” she stated.
Echoing the 2025 global theme, “Let’s Speed Up Results! End Child Labour,” Senator Tinubu condemned the continued exploitation of Nigerian children, stressing that no child should be forced into labour that denies them education, safety, and the chance to pursue their dreams.
She declared, “We raise our voices today for the millions of children whose dreams vanish under the weight of child labour.”
Her remarks highlighted a shared global and national urgency to address child labour, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where poverty and weak social systems often compel families to rely on harmful survival strategies.
Citing data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), Senator Tinubu noted that over 160 million children globally remain trapped in child labour, with Africa bearing the highest burden. In Nigeria alone, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reports that nearly 26.4 million children engage in various forms of labour, often under hazardous conditions and without access to education.
Senator Tinubu called on the country to adopt a comprehensive approach that includes strict law enforcement, increased educational opportunities, and robust family support programs to remove the economic incentives behind child labour.
She urged citizens, government bodies, NGOs, and the private sector to work together in protecting Nigeria’s future.
“Let us build a nation where every child is free to dream, thrive, and fulfill their God-given potential,” she appealed.
