NATIONAL NEWS
ILO Trains Stakeholders on Occupational Safety and Health to Combat Child Labour in Artisanal Small-Scale Gold Mining in Niger and Osun States.
In the effort to combat child labour in Nigeria’s artisanal small-scale gold mining supply chains, the
ILO ACCEL Africa Project (Accelerating Action for the Elimination of Child Labour in Supply Chains in
Africa), held significant workshops from February 18 – 27, 2025, in Niger and Osun States.
The workshops aim was to empower Stakeholders and representatives from Government,
Employers, Workers organizations and community leaders, to eliminate child labour and uphold best
practices in OSH in the ASGM sector in Niger and Osun States. In addition, Members of Community
Child Labour Monitoring Committees (CCLMCs) in the States were equipped with the necessary skills
and tools to enforce Community Action Plans (CAPs), monitor and report on child labour cases, and carry out interventions effectively.
The Director, ILO Country Office, Dr. Vanessa Phala, represented by the National Project Coordinator
of the ACCEL Africa Phase II Project, Mrs. Celine Oni, stated that the objective of the workshop is to
enhance capacities of stakeholders and institutions involved in the fight against child labour.
Participants discussed and demonstrated skills and knowledge to effectively develop, advocate and
implement policies and strategies aimed at eradicating child labour.
The ACCEL Africa project firstly, is working with relevant stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Ministry of Solid
Minerals Development and members of the National Steering Committee on the Elimination of Child
labour. The projects outcome is to strengthen institutions to develop and implement policies for the eradication of child labour in the cocoa and ASGM sector.
The second outcome is to address the root causes of child labour through innovative and evidence-
based solutions in the supply chains (cocoa and ASGM) are institutionalized. This outcome targets
key thematic areas such as social protection, social finance, occupational safety, health and youth
employment, promotion of smooth transitions from school to decent work. “The Durban Call to
Action has emphasized the need to tackle root causes of child labor, which include poverty, lack of
access to social protection and Health insurance coverage for the people”.
There is ongoing research by the Project on social protection modalities and coverage, youth
employment opportunities in Nigeria. It is expected that the research results and findings would
guide the interventions in Niger and Osun.
The Controller of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) in Niger State, Hauwa
Zakariyya, said “occupational safety and health is everyone’s business, and it should never be
underestimated. When safety is neglected, accidents are bound to occur. In every respectable
workplace, safety measures are observed to prevent casualties while performing our duties.”
“And that is why we find it very, very important that ACCEL Africa project is focusing on artisanal
mining to prevent incidents as what occurred in the Kuchiko community, where accidents resulted inmany casualties, particularly involving children. enhance safety and avoid such tragedies in the future”.
We believe it’s essential to educate miners to
On his part, the State Controller for the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Osun State,
Mr. Solomon Ayinde Alabi, expressed his gratitude for Osun State’s inclusion in the Phase II project,
noting that although the state was not fully integrated in Phase I, it would now benefit from the
experiences gained in other regions such as Ondo and Niger States, where the project has already
shown positive outcomes.
“I am aware that Osun State was not fully integrated in the Phase I of the project, I want to thank the team for the full integration of Osun State into the second Phase of the project. With success reports from Ondo and Niger States, I am sure that Osun State will equally record great successes.
“One good pointer to the impacts of the project in our state is the report coming from Ibala community. It is pleasing to report that cases of out of school children in the community has been
drastically reduced to almost zero level. This is good news is credited to the activities of the CCLMC in the community.
“I wish to remind and appeal to us as parents, guardians, and community to make the best use of this opportunity to intensify our commitment in fighting against the menace, child labour in our
respective communities. We are expected to know and share the knowledge to others so that the
goal of the project can be achieved”.
As part of the workshop activity, the participants visited artisanal mining fields in their various states
for onsite observations of the mining practices, noting the tools, equipment, processes and
identification of inherent hazards. Additionally, they had discussion with local miners, children onsite
and other stakeholders.
During an interview with children on the field, 13 years old Lawali Yusufa from Korokwa mining field
in Minna, stated that the reason why he is mining is to be able to make money.
“I am working here because my parents cannot afford to sponsor me through school so, I want to make enough money so that I can start going to school just like my mates. I know that the mining field is very dangerous especially for children like me, but I still want to continue working here because it is the only way I can make money” Lawali said.
In Idoka mining field, Osun, 11 years old Ibrahim said his dream is to become a miner when he grows
up and that is why he works there as an errand boy.
“I work here as an errand boy because I want to
learn how to mine for gold when I grow up. Even though I’m often chased out of the field, I still insist
on returning because it is my dream,” Ibrahim said.
Meanwhile, the training participants were divided into teams for a group activity to discuss the OSH
risks at the mining site, conditions of work compared to the best practices and decent work
expectations, and present what they’ve learned from the workshop.
The training initiative is expected to significantly improve the ability of these committees to act as
the first line of defense in the fight against child labour in Nigeria’s cocoa and gold mining sectors.
Advocacy group to preserve Yoruba language, holds strategy meeting
International Day of the Girl Child: Understanding girls through their hormones, by Aisha Musa Auyo
Nigeria’s Olukemi Ibikunle wins 2025 UN Trailblazer Award for Women Justice and Corrections Officers
Nigeria can become a world leader in clean and climate resilient industries
2025: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe reveals ambition
