Stakeholders Push Stronger Enforcement, Awareness to End Child Exploitation
By Oluwatope Lawanson
Stakeholders in the child protection sector have called for stricter enforcement of child protection laws, enhanced collaboration among relevant actors, and sustained public awareness campaigns to tackle exploitative child domestic work in Nigeria.
The call was made at a coordination forum organised by the DEVATOP Centre for Africa Development in Lagos to commemorate the 2026 World Day Against Child Labour.
The forum, themed “Ending Exploitation and Upholding Dignity,” brought together child rights advocates, civil society organisations, educators and development partners committed to protecting vulnerable children.
The event was organised in partnership with Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, Slum2School, CAPRIGHTS, Street Project Foundation, MAEJT, and Hearts and Hand Humanitarian Foundation, with support from The Freedom Fund and funding from the U.S. Department of State.
Speaking at the forum, DEVATOP’s Monitoring and Evaluation Lead, Ms Peculia Inana, described exploitative child domestic work as one of the most hidden forms of child labour, noting that it often occurs behind closed doors and leaves children vulnerable to abuse, excessive workloads, denial of education and social isolation.
She stressed the need to strengthen referral pathways and coordination mechanisms to ensure that at-risk children receive timely access to protection services.
According to Inana, meaningful progress can only be achieved through collective action among government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educators and communities.
“NGOs have the power to implement projects and drive change. We want synergy in society because protecting children is everyone’s responsibility,” she said.
She urged governments to move beyond policy formulation and focus on effective implementation of existing child protection laws.
“There are laws already enacted to protect children, but implementation is key. Government must strengthen enforcement so that these children are truly protected,” she added.
Inana disclosed that DEVATOP is currently handling about 10 child protection cases in collaboration with partner organisations, primarily through awareness campaigns and referrals to relevant authorities.
“We do not prosecute offenders. Our role is to refer cases to government agencies alongside other organisations for appropriate action,” she explained.
She also cautioned parents against sending their children away for economic reasons without proper supervision and follow-up.
“Some parents fail to monitor the wellbeing of their children after handing them over to guardians. If parents show concern, guardians will be more accountable.
“Our call to action centres on community sensitisation and collective responsibility. We encourage communities to speak out against child maltreatment and exploitation,” she said.
Also speaking, Mr Samuel Esuola, Project Team Lead at Hearts and Hand Humanitarian Foundation, underscored the importance of sustained advocacy and stakeholder commitment in protecting children’s rights.
While acknowledging that the ultimate goal is to eradicate exploitative child domestic work, he said immediate efforts must focus on ensuring children are not exposed to abuse or denied their fundamental rights.
“Exploitative conditions include excessive workloads, age-inappropriate tasks, denial of education and limited access to basic services. These are clear violations of children’s rights,” he said.
Esuola noted that awareness around exploitative child domestic work has gained momentum in recent years, helping to change attitudes among employers.
“Some employers do not even realise that what they are doing is wrong. Through continuous sensitisation, more people are beginning to understand that children must never be subjected to exploitation,” he said.
According to him, several abuse cases have been referred to government agencies, with some offenders facing prosecution.
“Lagos State is making efforts, but more still needs to be done. The good thing is that there is willingness on the part of government, and development partners are supporting efforts to ensure these issues receive the attention they deserve.
“Every child deserves a childhood free from exploitation, and we must work together to make that a reality,” he added.
Mr Damiola Adenusi, Project Lead at Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre, also called for collective responsibility in safeguarding children, warning that neglecting abused children could have far-reaching consequences for society.
“When a child suffers abuse and is ignored, that child may grow up carrying the effects of that trauma. Saving a child today is securing our future,” he said.
Adenusi urged parents to prioritise their children’s education and development rather than viewing them as sources of economic support.
“Every child we invest in positively has the potential to become a better person and contribute meaningfully to society. Using children for economic gain benefits only the adults involved, not the child,” he said.
On prevention, he called on stakeholders to engage communities and traditional gatekeepers to discourage child labour and other exploitative practices.
“It is increasingly becoming unacceptable in many communities for children to engage in trading during school hours. Stakeholders must continue taking deliberate steps to protect children at all costs,” he said.
Addressing data gaps in child protection programming, Adenusi highlighted the importance of stakeholder mapping and regular reviews to improve data collection and decision-making.
“Data is critical. We conduct mapping exercises and quarterly reviews to ensure we have reliable information for effective programming and policy interventions.
“Our call to action is simple: every child deserves the right to a good and prosperous life,” he said.
The forum also focused on strengthening case management systems and referral pathways to improve access to protection services for vulnerable children across Lagos State.