Tinubu: Nigeria Mandates Child Labour Action Plan Implementation

• President Bola Tinubu has directed various entities in Nigeria to fully implement national frameworks against child labour.
• The directive targets federal MDAs, state governments, employers, workers' organizations, development partners, and civil society groups.
• Key documents for implementation include the National Child Labour Survey (Labour Force Survey) 2024 Report.
• Also mandated is the National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026-2030).
• This presidential order signals increased scrutiny and the need for enhanced compliance efforts by all stakeholders in Nigeria.

Lawyers and compliance officers should therefore advise their clients to conduct robust due diligence, implement comprehensive training programs, and establish clear reporting mechanisms to mitigate legal exposure and uphold ethical standards in light of President Tinubu's clear mandate.

Nigeria's President, Bola Tinubu, has issued a significant directive aimed at intensifying efforts to combat child labour across the nation. This presidential mandate specifically instructs a broad spectrum of governmental and non-governmental entities to ensure the comprehensive implementation of key national instruments designed to eradicate child labour. The directive underscores a renewed commitment from the highest levels of government to address this critical social and economic challenge.

The entities explicitly tasked with this responsibility are diverse, reflecting the multi-faceted nature of the problem. They include all federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as state governments throughout Nigeria. Beyond public sector bodies, the directive extends to private sector employers, organizations representing workers, and international development partners. Furthermore, civil society organizations, which often play a crucial role in advocacy and grassroots implementation, are also included in this sweeping directive. This wide-ranging inclusion signals that the fight against child labour is considered a collective responsibility requiring coordinated action from all sectors.

At the core of President Tinubu's directive are two pivotal documents: the National Child Labour Survey (Labour Force Survey) 2024 Report and the National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026-2030). The 2024 Nigeria National Child Labour Survey, which also functions as a Labour Force Survey, is expected to provide up-to-date data and insights into the prevalence, characteristics, and drivers of child labour within Nigeria. This data is crucial for evidence-based policymaking and targeted interventions, offering a current snapshot of the situation on the ground.

Complementing the survey report is the National Policy and National Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour (2026-2030). This comprehensive framework outlines the strategic objectives, specific interventions, and institutional arrangements necessary to progressively eliminate child labour in Nigeria. It serves as a guiding document for all stakeholders, providing a roadmap for coordinated efforts, resource allocation, and monitoring mechanisms. The directive emphasizes the "full implementation" of both these instruments, indicating that their provisions are to be actively adopted and enforced by all designated parties.

The presidential directive carries significant implications for compliance officers and legal professionals advising clients in Nigeria, particularly those representing employers and various MDAs. It signals a heightened focus on child labour issues from the federal government, suggesting that enforcement actions and scrutiny of employment practices are likely to increase. Consequently, Nigerian employers child labour directives are now more critical than ever, requiring businesses to meticulously review their internal policies, supply chains, and operational procedures to ensure full adherence to the National Policy Elimination Child Labour Nigeria.

For MDAs, the directive means that MDAs child labour compliance Nigeria will be under close watch, necessitating a thorough examination of their own operational practices and any contracts or partnerships they engage in. The emphasis on "full implementation" implies that mere awareness is insufficient; active measures must be taken to prevent, identify, and address instances of child labour. Lawyers and compliance officers should therefore advise their clients to conduct robust due diligence, implement comprehensive training programs, and establish clear reporting mechanisms to mitigate legal exposure and uphold ethical standards in light of President Tinubu's clear mandate. This proactive approach is essential to navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and demonstrate commitment to national and international child protection standards.

Lawyers and compliance officers in Nigeria should advise clients, particularly employers and MDAs, to review their employment practices and supply chains for compliance with the National Policy and Action Plan for the Elimination of Child Labour. President Tinubu's directive signals heightened enforcement, making due diligence crucial to avoid legal exposure.

Source: Original reporting via Vanguard News