The International Labour Organisation (ILO) has intensified efforts to eliminate child labour in Nigeria’s artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. Through its ACCEL Africa Project, the organization held workshops from February 18 to 27, 2025, in Niger and Osun States to train stakeholders on best practices in occupational safety and health (OSH) and strategies to eradicate child labour.
The workshops brought together government representatives, employers, workers’ organizations, and community leaders. They also trained members of Community Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CCLMCs) on how to implement Community Action Plans (CAPs), monitor and report child labour cases, and carry out effective interventions.
Speaking at the event, the ILO Country Director, Dr. Vanessa Phala, represented by the National Project Coordinator of ACCEL Africa Phase II, Mrs. Celine Oni, highlighted the importance of capacity building in addressing child labour.
“Our objective is to strengthen stakeholders and institutions to develop and implement policies that will end child labour,” she said. “Participants have been equipped with skills and knowledge to advocate for and implement effective strategies.”
The ACCEL Africa Project is working with key partners, including the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, and the National Steering Committee on Child Labour Elimination. The project focuses on strengthening institutions and tackling the root causes of child labour, such as poverty and lack of access to social protection.
“The Durban Call to Action has emphasized the need to address the root causes of child labour, which include poverty, lack of access to social protection, and health insurance,” Oni added.
Stakeholders Call for Safety and Child Protection
The Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) in Niger State, Hauwa Zakariyya, underscored the importance of occupational safety in the mining sector.
Zakariyya said, “Occupational safety and health is everyone’s business, and it should never be underestimated. When safety is neglected, accidents are bound to occur. We must prevent tragedies like the one in Kuchiko community, where many children lost their lives due to mining accidents.”
In Osun State, the State Controller for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Solomon Ayinde Alabi, expressed appreciation for Osun’s inclusion in Phase II of the project.
Alabi said, “Although Osun State was not fully integrated in Phase I, we are grateful that it is now part of Phase II. We have seen great success in Ondo and Niger States, and we believe Osun will also benefit. In Ibala community, for instance, the number of out-of-school children has drastically reduced, thanks to the efforts of the CCLMC.”
Alabi urged parents and community members to support the fight against child labour.
“We must take full advantage of this initiative and spread awareness,” he said. “Everyone has a role to play in ensuring that children are not forced into hazardous work.”
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Children Speak Out: Poverty Pushes Them Into Mining
During site visits to mining fields in Niger and Osun States, participants observed mining practices, equipment, and working conditions. They also engaged with miners and children working on-site.
At the Korokwa mining field in Minna, 13-year-old Lawali Yusufa explained why he works in mining.
Lawali said, “I am here because my parents cannot afford to send me to school. I know the work is dangerous, but I need to make money so that I can go back to school like my friends.”
Similarly, at the Idoka mining field in Osun, 11-year-old Ibrahim shared his dreams of becoming a miner.
Also, Ibrahim emphasised “I work here as an errand boy because I want to learn how to mine gold when I grow up. Even though people chase me away, I always come back because this is what I want to do.”
A Stronger Fight Against Child Labour
The workshop concluded with group activities where participants analyzed OSH risks in mining sites and compared conditions with international best practices. They also developed action plans to promote decent work standards in the ASGM sector.
With the training completed, the ILO expects these committees to become the first line of defense in combating child labour in Nigeria’s cocoa and gold mining industries. Stakeholders are hopeful that sustained efforts will lead to safer workplaces and better opportunities for children in affected communities.