The President of the UNESCO Read and Earn Federation, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan, has called for coordinated national and global efforts to eradicate child labour, describing it as both a moral crisis and a democratic test.
Speaking in Abuja during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan highlighted the symbolic significance of this year’s World Day Against Child Labour coinciding with Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12.
“This coincidence challenges us to reflect on the kind of society we are building,” he said. “Democracy must not only be about elections and institutions—it must protect the rights, dignity, and future of our children.”Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan warned that child labour continues to rob millions of Nigerian children of access to education, safety, and opportunity, undermining the nation’s development goals and international commitments, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, which targets the elimination of child labour.
He urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to align its “Renewed Hope” agenda with the United Nations sustainable development framework, stressing that ending child labour requires more than legislation—it demands political will, stronger education systems, and support for vulnerable families.
“Ending child labour is not merely a policy issue—it is a moral and democratic responsibility,” he said. “No child should be forced into labour. Every child should be free to learn, dream, and thrive.”He called for multilateral cooperation among governments, humanitarian agencies, grassroots groups, and educators to address the root causes of child labour, including poverty, lack of schooling, and weak social protections.
While acknowledging the Nigerian government’s current anti-child labour efforts, he urged greater urgency and inclusivity.
“This Democracy Day must be a catalyst for transformative action,” Ladigbolu-Oranmiyan stated. “True democracy is measured not just by ballots cast, but by how we protect our most vulnerable. Let Nigeria lead by example in defending childhood and fulfilling the promise of a better tomorrow.”
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