President Bola Tinubu has declared the elimination of child labour a national development priority, launching Nigeria’s National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026–2030) alongside the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report.

The President made the declaration in Abuja during the National Dialogue on Advancing the Implementation of Nigeria’s National Child Labour Policy and National Action Plan, where he was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume.

Tinubu said child labour should no longer be viewed merely as a labour-sector issue, stressing that it is closely linked to education, poverty reduction, food security, economic growth, human capital development and national security.

“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,” the President said.

He noted that the newly launched 2026–2030 action plan provides a practical roadmap for translating Nigeria’s commitments under international child protection conventions into measurable national action.

According to Tinubu, the Federal Government will strengthen labour inspection systems, child protection mechanisms and social intervention programmes aimed at addressing the root causes of child labour, including poverty, unemployment, inadequate access to quality education and social exclusion.

The President also identified education as one of the strongest safeguards against child labour, saying his administration is implementing reforms to reduce the number of out-of-school children, improve teacher development, expand skills acquisition and strengthen education data systems.

He added that the Renewed Hope National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme would complement these efforts by improving school attendance while tackling hunger and malnutrition among children from vulnerable households.

Tinubu directed Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government, as well as state governments, to fully implement the new policy, urging the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, employers, workers’ organisations, development partners, traditional rulers, religious leaders and communities to support the national campaign against child labour.

The launch of the 2024 National Child Labour Survey Report is expected to provide updated data to guide government policies and interventions as Nigeria seeks to reduce child labour over the next four years.