Peer-reviewed article

Doomed Fate for the Nigerian Child? A Theoretical Analysis of the Economic and Legal Ramifications of Child Labour in Nigeria

Charles Okeke · 1 Aug 2023

Abstract

Nigeria made only limited progress in its attempts to eradicate the worst forms of child labour in 2021.Official approval has been given to the National Policy on Child Labour and the National Action Plan to End Child Labour.The Ministry of Labour and Employment has also launched a new initiative to assist low-income families in areas with high rates of child labour by providing them with start-up capital.But some of the worst types of child labour, like artisanal mining, granite quarrying, commercial sexual exploitation, and use as combatants, are found in Nigeria.The objective of this paper is to theoretically examine the economic and legal policies and practices of child labour in Nigeria in the context of a severe economic downturn in which children are forced to work at a young age in order to survive.Based on theoretical conceptions of childhood that consider the needs and realities of the children and families whose lives they want to improve, these initiatives are supported by economic measures and legislation.The methodology used was that of secondary data gathered from studies on child labour in Nigeria and other developing countries.The discussion was also influenced by international documents, especially human rights agreements like the CRC.According to the results of an independent study conducted to address the problem of child labour and used to support this research, a greater proportion of respondents agreed that the country should create more jobs in order to lessen the prevalence of child labour.As a result of the decrease in national poverty, children will no longer be required to support the family's income.The second-largest group of respondents supported free education for everybody, while the fewest said that the government should stimulate the economy.The study's conclusion offers a realistic plan as a viable alternative to recognizing and defending human rights, especially those of children; it also indicates that the aim must be freely reached in the capability measure approach by utilizing the best available tools for preserving human security, welfare, and economic survival.