NHRC Seeks Stronger Enforcement of Child Rights Laws, Warns Against Child Exploitation
By Core Reporters
As Nigeria joins the rest of Africa in commemorating the 2026 International Day of the African Child, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for urgent action to protect children from exploitation, trafficking, violence, child labour, and all forms of abuse.
The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu, OFR, SAN, made the call ahead of the celebration, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on its children and the need to guarantee them access to quality education in a safe and enabling environment.
Ojukwu urged all stakeholders to move beyond commitments and take concrete steps to safeguard the rights, dignity, and development of every child.
He reiterated that children’s rights are guaranteed under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, and other national laws designed to protect their dignity, welfare, and development, stressing that these rights must be respected and protected at all times.
The NHRC boss also noted that Nigeria has signed and ratified several international and regional instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
However, he expressed concern that significant gaps still exist in the protection and enforcement of these rights.
Despite the legal frameworks in place, Ojukwu observed that many children continue to face challenges such as limited access to education, child labour, trafficking, violence, exploitation, and displacement resulting from insecurity and humanitarian crises.
According to him, the NHRC’s Women and Children Department has continued to receive and investigate complaints involving violations of children’s rights, while also providing support services and referrals for affected children.
He added that the department has carried out extensive human rights awareness campaigns in schools and communities across the country, educating children, parents, teachers, and community leaders on child rights and responsibilities to strengthen the promotion, protection, and enforcement of these rights.
In furtherance of its child protection mandate, the Commission has facilitated the rescue of several children from situations involving child labour, abuse, neglect, and early or forced marriages. Many of the rescued children have been reunited with their families, while appropriate interventions have been provided to ensure their welfare and protection.
The Commission has also sustained advocacy efforts against child labour, trafficking, abuse, and other harmful practices, while promoting stronger child protection systems and greater accountability for violations affecting children.
Describing education as a cornerstone of child development, the NHRC called for increased investment in safe, inclusive, and quality education for all children, particularly the most vulnerable.
Core Reporters report that as the continent marks this year’s International Day of the African Child, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to promoting, protecting, and enforcing the rights of every child in Nigeria, while ensuring that no child is left behind.
