World Day Against Child Labour: NECA Calls for Stronger Action to End Child Exploitation

The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has renewed its call for intensified efforts to eliminate child labour in Nigeria as the world marks the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.

Speaking from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Conference in Geneva, the Director-General of NECA, Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the association’s 2026 advocacy campaign, themed **“Red Card to Child Labour,”** represents a collective stand against all forms of child exploitation and a commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of every child.

According to Oyerinde, the campaign goes beyond removing children from workplaces and seeks to address the broader socio-economic factors that drive child labour. He stressed that ensuring adults have access to decent jobs, fair wages, and sustainable livelihoods is critical to preventing children from being forced into labour.

“Child labour not only robs children of their childhood, but it also erodes the foundation of national development. A nation that allows its children to trade classrooms for workplaces compromises its future workforce, innovation capacity, and economic growth,” he said, adding that children should be given the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams while adults enjoy productive employment opportunities.

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The NECA Director-General noted that tackling child labour requires concrete actions aimed at addressing its root causes, including poverty, poor access to quality education, weak enforcement of labour laws, and limited economic opportunities for vulnerable families.

He therefore called on governments, employers, workers’ organisations, civil society groups, development partners, communities, and businesses to strengthen collaboration in the fight against child labour. Oyerinde urged organisations to ensure that their operations and supply chains are free from child exploitation while embedding child protection principles into their policies and business practices.

Emphasising the link between child welfare and economic development, Oyerinde said fair play for children means allowing them to enjoy their childhood, receive quality education, and develop their talents, while decent work for adults ensures dignity, security, social protection, and adequate income to support families.

He maintained that education, protection, and decent work must remain collective priorities, noting that every child deserves the right to learn, grow, and dream. He expressed optimism that through joint efforts, stakeholders can build a future defined by opportunity, dignity, and decent work for all.