The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called for urgent and concrete measures to protect Nigerian children from exploitation, trafficking, violence, child labour, and other forms of abuse.
The Executive Secretary of the NHRC, Tony Ojukwu, made the call ahead of the commemoration of the 2026 International Day of the African Child, stressing that Nigeria’s future depends on children having access to quality education in a safe and supportive environment.
Ojukwu urged governments, institutions, communities, and other stakeholders to move beyond promises and take practical steps to safeguard the rights, dignity, and development of every child.
He noted that children’s rights are protected under the Constitution of Nigeria, the Child Rights Act, and other national laws, while the country has also ratified key international and regional instruments, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Union Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
Despite these legal protections, the NHRC boss lamented that many children continue to face challenges such as poor access to education, child labour, trafficking, violence, exploitation, and displacement caused by insecurity and humanitarian crises.
According to him, the Commission’s Women and Children Department has remained active in investigating complaints involving violations of children’s rights, providing support services, and referring affected children for necessary interventions.
He added that the department has carried out extensive awareness campaigns in schools and communities nationwide to educate children, parents, teachers, and community leaders on child rights and responsibilities.
The Commission has also facilitated the rescue of children from child labour, abuse, neglect, and early or forced marriages, reuniting many with their families while ensuring appropriate welfare and protection measures.
Ojukwu further disclosed that the NHRC has sustained advocacy efforts against child labour, trafficking, abuse, and other harmful practices, while promoting stronger child protection systems and accountability for violations.
Emphasising the importance of education, he called for increased investment in safe, inclusive, and quality education, particularly for vulnerable children across the country.
“As we mark the International Day of the African Child, the Commission reaffirms its commitment to promoting, protecting, and enforcing the rights of every child in Nigeria and ensuring that no child is left behind,” he stated.
The International Day of the African Child is commemorated annually across Africa to highlight the rights, welfare, and development of children and to advocate for improved policies and protection measures.
