The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has raised concerns over the persistent exploitation and abuse of children in Nigeria, calling for stronger and more coordinated measures to protect their rights and welfare.
In a statement issued on Tuesday to mark the 2026 International Day of the African Child, the Commission urged governments, communities, civil society organisations, and other stakeholders to intensify efforts to combat child trafficking, child labour, violence, exploitation, and other forms of abuse affecting children across the country.
The statement, signed by the NHRC Director of Corporate Affairs and External Linkages, Mrs. Fatimah Mohamed, quoted the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, as stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on the well-being and development of its children.
Ojukwu emphasized the need to guarantee every child access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment, noting that stakeholders must move beyond commitments and rhetoric to practical actions that safeguard the rights, dignity, and development of children.
He observed that children’s rights are protected under the Nigerian Constitution, the Child Rights Act, and other domestic legislation designed to promote their welfare and development. He also highlighted Nigeria’s obligations under international and regional frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Despite these legal protections, Ojukwu lamented that many Nigerian children continue to face significant challenges, including limited access to education, child labour, trafficking, violence, exploitation, and displacement resulting from insecurity and humanitarian crises.
According to him, the Commission’s Women and Children Department has remained actively engaged in investigating cases of child rights violations while providing support services and referrals for affected children.
He added that the department has conducted extensive sensitisation campaigns in schools and communities nationwide, educating children, parents, teachers, and community leaders on child rights and responsibilities as part of efforts to strengthen child protection mechanisms and improve enforcement.
The NHRC further disclosed that it has facilitated the rescue of numerous children from situations involving child labour, abuse, neglect, and early or forced marriages. While some of the rescued children have been reunited with their families, others have received interventions aimed at ensuring their safety, rehabilitation, and well-being.
Reaffirming its commitment to child protection, the Commission said it would continue to champion efforts against child labour, trafficking, abuse, and other harmful practices through sustained advocacy, stronger protection systems, and accountability for perpetrators of rights violations.
The Commission also underscored the importance of education as a critical pillar of child development and called for increased investment in safe, inclusive, and quality learning opportunities, particularly for vulnerable children at risk of exclusion.
As Africa commemorates the 2026 International Day of the African Child, the NHRC reiterated its commitment to promoting, protecting, and enforcing the rights of every child in Nigeria and ensuring that no child is left behind.
