How Plateau Is Stepping Up Fight Against Child Labour 

The air buzzed with a rare mix of urgency and hope in Jos, Plateau State last Tuesday as stakeholders from across the state gathered to confront the painful reality of thousands of children still being robbed of their childhood through child labour.

The gathering, hosted by the Plateau State Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission, marked the 2025 International Day Against Child Labour.

Beneath the sparkling faces, the stories shared were anything but glamorous. They told of children trafficked from rural communities, forced into house help roles in unfamiliar cities, denied education, and subjected to abuse.

This year’s global theme, “Progress is Clear, but There’s More to Do: Let’s Speed Up Efforts,” echoed through the hall.

Standing tall at the podium was the Commission’s Acting Chairperson, Barr. Olivia Dazyam, her voice firm yet emotional as she addressed the gathering.

“Too many of our children are doing jobs far above their ages and capacity. Some work in homes they don’t know, others in markets or construction sites, while someone else collects the payment meant for them,” she said.

Her message was clear: child labour is not just a statistic, it’s a tragedy unfolding in real-time, often with the silent consent of parents lured by traffickers with false promises.

“Most heartbreaking,” Dazyam added, “is that these children are handed over by their own mothers through agents who benefit the most from their suffering.”

But amidst the grim reality came hope; hope grounded in action. Since its establishment in November 2023 by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, the Gender and Equal Opportunities Commission has been working tirelessly to rewrite the narrative.

Partnering with key ministries and civil society organizations, the Commission has launched sensitization campaigns, supported legal reforms, and provided psychosocial support for survivors.

Mrs. Caroline Dafur, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, was singled out for her leadership. “In just two years, she has transformed social protection in Plateau State,” said Dazyam, acknowledging her as a force behind many of the Commission’s successes.

The statistics are sobering. Plateau State ranked fourth in child labour prevalence in the 2022 National Bureau of Statistics report, a position Dazyam called “embarrassing.” Yet, behind every data point are real children: invisible, voiceless, and vulnerable. Children whose laughter should be echoing through playgrounds, not silenced in hard labour.

In a session that stirred both legal minds and community hearts, Na’ankus Fyaktu, State Chairperson of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), walked the audience through the Child’s Right Act 2003, which Plateau State domesticated in 2005.

She emphasized that the legal tools already exist, but their enforcement remains weak. “Laws are only as powerful as the systems that uphold them,” she reminded.

Participants also delved into another painful issue: the lasting impact of extreme punishment in schools. Educators and advocates agreed that harsh discipline not only breaks the spirit but often pushes children further into the streets, making them easy prey for traffickers.

The gathering wasn’t just about diagnosing problems, it was a planning ground for solutions.

The Commission outlined key steps moving forward, and called for “Tighter enforcement of child protection laws; free, inclusive education for every child, especially in rural areas; economic empowerment of families to break the cycle of poverty-driven child labour; a collaborative roadmap towards a “Child Labour-Free Plateau.”

Above all, the Commission urged everyone to listen to the children, to their voices, fears, and dreams, and to let those voices shape the solutions.

As the event wound down, one sentiment lingered in the room: the fight to end child labour isn’t just a policy issue, it’s a moral one. “Childhood,” Dazyam said, “is not a commodity. It is a sacred phase that must be protected, nurtured, and celebrated.”

With this renewed sense of purpose, Plateau State takes another step toward building a future where every child is seen, heard, protected, and free.

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