Abuja – June 12, 2025
As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the 2025 World Day Against Child Labour, the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for a united front to eradicate child labour and protect the rights of every Nigerian child.
In a message commemorating the global observance, the First Lady decried the persistence of child labour in several communities across the country, stressing that no child should be denied the right to education, safety, and a decent life.
“This day reminds us that we must never normalize the exploitation of children in our homes, markets, factories, or farms,” she said. “Every child deserves a future free from forced labour and filled with learning and opportunity.”
Senator Tinubu emphasized the need for collaborative action between government agencies, civil society, faith-based organisations, and the private sector to create safer environments and implement social support systems that keep children in school and out of exploitative work.
She commended ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and international partners such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), in combating child labour, and pledged the support of the Renewed Hope Initiative in expanding child protection campaigns across Nigeria.
The First Lady also appealed to parents and guardians to prioritize the welfare of their children and resist economic pressures that lead to their exploitation.
“Let us commit today to break the cycle of poverty and give every Nigerian child the hope and dignity they deserve,” she concluded.
