Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammadu Dingyadi, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to eradicating child labour, declaring that children belong in classrooms, not construction sites.

Speaking at the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour and Special Children’s Conference on the Elimination of Child Labour, Dingyadi stressed that childhood should be a time of learning, play, and dreams not exploitation and hardship.

“You have the right to go to school, not to work in dangerous jobs. You have the right to play, not to carry heavy loads. You have the right to dream, not to be forced to work long hours,” the minister told the young participants.

Although the global date for the observance is June 12, Nigeria marked the event on July 1 to avoid a clash with Democracy Day celebrations.

Dingyadi cited a joint ILO-UNICEF report showing a decline in global child labour figures from 160 million to 138 million as evidence that advocacy and policy interventions are yielding results.

“Even one child in labour is one too many. But this drop in numbers is progress, and Nigeria is part of that success story,” he said.

He called on institutions like the International Labour Organisation (ILO), Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), and organised labour to intensify their efforts in enforcement, advocacy, and education.

Dingyadi also encouraged children to share their ideas for shaping a better future, assuring them that their voices would help guide policymaking under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We believe in your ideas. President Tinubu is committed to making life better for all Nigerians especially our children,” he said, adding that education remains the strongest tool to end child labour and poverty.

Dr Vanessa Phala, ILO Director for the Abuja Country Office, lamented that despite progress, exploitative child labour still exists in Nigeria, often in violation of both domestic laws and international conventions.

She urged the National Assembly and Ministry of Labour to pass the reviewed Labour Standards Bill, which will align Nigeria’s laws with international labour practices and further strengthen child protection mechanisms.

“Over 100 million fewer children are in child labour today than in 2000, despite population growth. But we need to move faster. The reviewed bill is essential for advancing social justice,” she said.

The 2025 theme, “Progress is clear, but there’s more to do: Let’s speed up efforts,” calls on all sectors of society to intensify the push to end child labour and ensure that children stay in school, not the workforce.