Oluremi Tinubu Calls for Action Against Child Labour on World Day

The First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has urged Nigerians to raise a “red card” against child labour. She wants everyone to recommit to protecting children’s rights to education, safety, and dignity.

In her message for the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour on Friday, themed “Red Card to Child Labour: Fair Play for Children, Decent Work for Adults,” Mrs Tinubu said no child should miss the chance to learn and reach their potential because of forced labour.

“No child should be denied the opportunity to learn, grow and achieve their dreams because they are subjected to forced labour. Children belong in homes, classrooms, playgrounds and safe environments where they can grow and thrive,” she stated.

Child Labour Challenge

According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UNICEF, nearly 138 million children around the world are involved in child labour. This includes 54 million who are in hazardous work that threatens their health and safety.

This year’s campaign calls for stronger action on quality education, social protection, decent jobs for adults, better laws, and enforcement. These measures aim to tackle the root causes of child labour.

Agriculture is the largest employer of children globally. From cocoa farms in West Africa to rice fields in South Asia, this sector makes up 61 percent of child labour cases worldwide. This means about 84 million children work in farming, fishing, forestry, and livestock production.

In Nigeria, an estimated 24.6 million children aged between five and 17 years are involved in child labour. This number represents 39.2 percent of the country’s child population.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows the issue is worse in rural areas. Here, 44.8 percent of children are engaged in economic activities.

More than 14 million Nigerian children are reportedly stuck in dangerous work environments that harm their physical, mental, and moral growth.

Investment in Children’s Welfare

Mrs Tinubu called for ongoing investment in children’s welfare. She believes this can empower families and communities to take better care of children.

“Let us all raise a red card against child labour and work together for a fairer and more promising future for every child,” she added.