The International Labour Organization (ILO), through its ACCEL Africa Project, has intensified efforts to combat child labour in Nigeria’s artisanal small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector by building the capacities of key stakeholders in Niger and Osun States.
From February 18 to 27, 2025, the ILO conducted a series of workshops aimed at equipping government officials, employers, workers’ organizations, and community leaders with the necessary skills to eradicate child labour and enhance occupational safety and health (OSH) in ASGM supply chains. Community Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CCLMCs) were also trained to implement Community Action Plans (CAPs), monitor and report child labour cases, and carry out targeted interventions effectively.
Speaking on behalf of the ILO Country Office Director, National Project Coordinator Mrs. Celine Oni emphasized that the workshops aimed to strengthen institutional capacities and foster multi-stakeholder collaboration to eliminate child labour. Participants engaged in discussions and practical sessions on developing and advocating policies to address child exploitation in the mining sector.
The ACCEL Africa Project, in collaboration with the Federal Ministries of Labour and Employment, Agriculture and Food Security, and Solid Minerals Development, is working to institutionalize evidence-based solutions to address the root causes of child labour. These include poverty, limited access to education, social protection gaps, and hazardous working conditions. The initiative also aligns with the Durban Call to Action, which stresses the need for holistic measures to eradicate child labour.
During field visits to artisanal mining sites, stakeholders observed first-hand the hazardous conditions faced by child labourers. Testimonies from children such as 13-year-old Lawali Yusufa from the Korokwa mining field in Minna, who expressed his desire to work to afford schooling, and 11-year-old Ibrahim from Idoka mining field in Osun, who aspires to become a gold miner, underscored the urgent need for intervention.
Government representatives from Niger and Osun States lauded the initiative, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms. Osun State Controller for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr. Solomon Ayinde Alabi, noted that the project’s impact has already led to a significant reduction in out-of-school children in Ibala community.
The training culminated in group activities where participants assessed workplace hazards, discussed OSH compliance, and strategized on implementing best practices in ASGM operations. With these enhanced capabilities, stakeholders are expected to play a pivotal role in safeguarding children’s rights and promoting decent work standards in Nigeria’s cocoa and mining sectors.
The ILO remains committed to working with local and international partners to eliminate child labour and create safer, more sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
